[ironman]

It is my understanding that reporters are not covered by the leak law. Novak's not going to do any time.

[AntiGuv]

It's possible (though unlikely) that Novak could get subpoenaed and consequently charged with contempt of court & obstruction of justice if a judge orders him to reveal the source.

[AntiGuv]

BTW, if this does somehow manage to get that far, there's little doubt that it would end up in the Supreme Court rather swiftly..

[Khaibit]

>> It is my understanding that reporters are not covered by the leak law. Novak's not going to do any time. <<

Reporters are not subject to the law unless they engage in a 'pattern' of such behaviour designed to undermine national security. So Novak would have to out at least one more agent before it could even be stretched to charge him under that law.

That said, journalistic confidentiality does not extend to crimes. Technically, he could be ordered to disclose his source and held in contempt of court for refusing. Others have suggested that since Plame worked on WMD non-proliferation it could be considered 'harming efforts against terrorism' and he could be charged under the USA Patriot Act. However, I think both of those are EXTREMELY unlikely. Maybe under a Rat administration the Justice Department might try to pull one of those, but not Ashcroft.