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Blue_Tires

(57,596 posts)

18. Risen isn't the first journo to go to jail to protect a source

Wed Oct 15, 2014, 01:54 AM

Oct 2014

and he needs to quit pretending like he is; even though I'll give him credit due for bitterly dragging his crusade this all the way to the USSC...He'll do his few months, get out, and life will go on...Either way, I will now be paying a lot more attention to the trial of his source...

I know one guy who got three months for refusing to testify in a mob trial -- No parades, no medals, no 60 Minutes interviews on national TV, etc...Once his appeals were exhausted he went in, got out and that was the end of it...

I've also heard about reporters who *DID* cough up their sources instead of facing the contempt charge, but those are stories for another thread...

The real issue is what the legal definition of "journalist" will be if congress is to ever pass that federal shield law...

And FYI, just in case someone wants to accuse me of something without really accusing me -- I've long supported press freedoms not just here, but globally...DUers need to get past the thinking that the "free press" conversation begins and ends with Risen and Greenwald...

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NYT Journalist James Risen To Be Sentenced For Refusing To Name Source [View all] red dog 1 Oct 2014 OP

Also on DemocracyNow today (link) johnnyreb Oct 2014 #1

Thanks for the link! red dog 1 Oct 2014 #8

if this happened under bush, we would all have a collective fit La Lioness Priyanka Oct 2014 #2

That's why they gave us Obama FiveGoodMen Oct 2014 #3

Yes. freedom fighter jh Oct 2014 #4

Judith Miller was jailed under the Bush administration for protecting a source Recursion Oct 2014 #9

There were a few. Luminous Animal Oct 2014 #10

Thanks Recursion Oct 2014 #11

LOL. yes, you clearly were not on DU at the time. La Lioness Priyanka Oct 2014 #21

Miller was jailed for refusing to name Scooter Libby as a Valerie Plame leaker riderinthestorm Oct 2014 #28

+1 liberal_at_heart Oct 2014 #23

Wait...I heard that interview today. I thought the trial hadn't started yet... truth2power Oct 2014 #5

It was not a repeat of an earlier show.. red dog 1 Oct 2014 #7

Isn't he being persecuted for not testifying to a Grand Jury? Then their doesn't need to be a trial Luminous Animal Oct 2014 #15

Contempt. I don't know whether to consider that good news or bad... truth2power Oct 2014 #30

From yesterday's Democracy Now interview with James Risen: red dog 1 Oct 2014 #22

Ah...I remember now. Thank you. It's about refusal to testify. n/t truth2power Oct 2014 #29

it did happen under Bush--the case has been in the courts since 2006. librechik Oct 2014 #6

Your dog's name should be Drummer red dog 1 Oct 2014 #24

I hope the judge sends a message with zero sentence. daredtowork Oct 2014 #12

He'll probably get the symbolic 3-4 months, and we'll hear no more of this... Blue_Tires Oct 2014 #13

That's still a criminal record isn't it? daredtowork Oct 2014 #14

A misdemeanor contempt charge? Blue_Tires Oct 2014 #17

Except from Mr. Risen and those who support the freedom of the press. Luminous Animal Oct 2014 #16

Risen isn't the first journo to go to jail to protect a source Blue_Tires Oct 2014 #18

He has never pretended that he is the first. And yes, I also understand what the "real issue" is. Luminous Animal Oct 2014 #19

I'm happy to let the industry define and certify it Blue_Tires Oct 2014 #20

Here is an article from yesterday's HuffPo on James Risen red dog 1 Oct 2014 #25

Journalism is anathema to corporate totalitarianism. woo me with science Oct 2014 #26

Obama's justice dept should drop the case. grahamhgreen Oct 2014 #27

''Sentencing'' a Journalist. Octafish Oct 2014 #31