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As I posted on another thread:

To point out the obvious, Novak has a vested self-interest in spinning this story to his benefit.

First, Novak has moved from being a reporter (actually a columnist) writing about a story to being the story. One of the cardinal rules of journalism is that the reporter is not the story--the story is the story and the reporter is the background, and that's where Novak has crossed the line.

Second, Novak knows that he is going to be questioned by the FBI and possibly hauled before a grand jury. He has to be very careful about what he says because, although he's said that he will not reveal his confidential sources, his public words will be used in the investigation and he will be questioned about them. He has to carefully choose his words, because whatever he says will be scrutinized.

Third, Novak said he will protect his sources. This means that he cannot give any clues to their identities in what he says publically, or privately.

Forth, Novak wants to continue working as a journalist. Although he has been critical of the administration's policies in Iraq and Israel, he still wants to keep working, and his sources are within the current administration. He's walking tightrope. He has to diminish his role in this, because if he doesn't, his sources will dry up. OTOH, his ego says he has to play up the story and his role in it to get more publicity for his column, and for Novak, getting his column published means income.

When I come up with more, I'll let you know.

"One of the cardinal rules of journalism is that the reporter is not the story--the story is the story and the reporter is the background, and that's where Novak has crossed the line."

Novak is simply defending himself in this story, as probably most people would. He - unlike Geraldo, O'Reilly, and many others - does not cultivate himself as a personality. I don't think he's crossed a line at all.

It is unlikely that the FBI will go near Novak. And a Grand Jury apearence is OUT.

Both things have to be approved by Ashcroft himself, and absent a definitive crime, that ain't gonna happen.

See

(k) In requesting the Attorney General's authorization to question, to arrest or to seek an arrest warrant for, or to present information to a grand jury seeking a bill of indictment or to file an information against, a member of the news media for an offense which he is suspected of having committed during the course of, or arising out of, the coverage or investigation of a news story, or committed while engaged in the performance of his official duties as a member of the news media, a member of the Department shall state all facts necessary for determination of the issues by the Attorney General.