Its a lib newspaper, they have a golden road...nothing will happen....
It is a civil suit. If the reporter refuses to answer the question regarding the source of his information, the jury is to take whatever the plaintiff says, regarding the source, as fact.
The plaintiff can claim the reporter made it up, and the jury will treat that as fact.
Also, the burden of proof required of the plaintiff is "more likely than not" or "weight of the evidence".
They have to prove 51%.
Beyond reasonable doubt is required of criminal proceedings, not in civil proceedings.
Trying to duck behind the 1st amendment or the 5th amendment won't work.
Also, during discovery, the plaintiff is allowed to require production of anything that may lead to evidence. It does not have to be relevant to the case.