Reporter in anthrax case faces contempt

MSNBC ^ | 2/19/2008 | ap

[tobyhill]

WASHINGTON - A federal judge said Tuesday he will hold a former USA Today reporter in contempt if she continues refusing to identify sources for stories about a former Army scientist under scrutiny in the 2001 anthrax attacks.

U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton said reporter Toni Locy defied his order last August that she cooperate with Steven J. Hatfill in his lawsuit against the government. Walton indicated he would impose a fine until she divulged her sources, but that he would take a few more days to decide whether to postpone the penalty as she pursues an appeal.

The judge is also considering whether to find former CBS reporter James Stewart in contempt.

“I will order she provide the sources of information,” Walton said during a hearing, as Locy, dressed in black, looked grim and slowly shook her head in disagreement.

“I don’t like to have to hold anyone in contempt,” the judge added, but when it comes to cases where a person says his reputation was destroyed because of stories published about him, “the media has to be responsible.”

[BlackVeil]

I believe that if we knew the truth about the anthrax attacks, we would know a great deal.

[Bruinator]

My sources tell me there is going to be a terrorist attack tomorrow at a known location. I cannot tell anyone where because I must protect my source.

I understand the need to protect sources, however, there are cases where it definetely not be protected. The press forgets the responsible part of their right to be free of government regulation. It is not given freely without responsibility.

[tobyhill]

Sources never get scrutinized under the media’s standard but yet the media is allowed to scrutinize the people the sources talk about. We hear lie after lie from the media and then when they get caught they blame their sources but then never reveal their sources. Too convenient for them.

[OCC]

“Unnamed sources” get away with to much lately, to the point that they are shaping our national security policy.

[tobyhill]

Sources are not like they were back in the days of real journalism. Sources are doing nothing but looking for revenge, partisanship or looking to write a book.

[SeafoodGumbo]

IIRC, one of the 9-11 bombers or a roommate of one of theirs got symptoms related to anthrax.

It wasn't just coincidence that it happened right after 9-11, imho.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

Here’s where the “un-named sources” work:
“During Tuesday’s hearing, Bernius also argued that Locy could not remember who gave her information specifically about Hatfill and that she should not be forced to disclose the names of roughly 10 FBI and Justice Department officials who spoke to her generally about the anthrax investigation.”