Prosecution cannot assert "due process" right to unaired footage

    NMU CALIFORNIA Confidentiality/Privilege Nov 2, 1999 Prosecution cannot assert “due process” right to unaired footage The state’s highest court found that the California shield law provides absolute immunity from contempt charges that resulted from refusals to provide a prosecutor with unaired portions of a jailhouse interview. The California shield law provides absolute protection for journalists…

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      Federal judge rules against federal reporter's privilege

      NMU CALIFORNIA Confidentiality/Privilege Federal judge rules against federal reporter’s privilege In quashing a subpoena for ABC reporters’ tapes and notes, a federal judge in California ruled that the First Amendment provides a thin shield for reporters. Nov. 25, 2003 — ABC News successfully fought a government subpoena for tapes and information relating to an undercover…

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        High court turns back two reporter's privilege cases

        NORTH CAROLINA–In late July, the state Supreme Court in Raleigh decided two cases in favor of prosecutors trying to compel testimony from journalists. The court decided not to review a Raleigh News & Observer reporter’s appeal of a Durham trial court order directing him to turn over notes from a jailhouse interview. The court ruled,…

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          Federal shield law moves out of House committee

          The HouseJudiciary Committee onWednesday approved afederal shield billthat aims to protect journalists fromcompelled disclosure of theirconfidential sources,in language identical to that ofa2007 billthat overwhelmingly passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The new billheads nextto the floor for a new,full House vote. The Free Flow of Information Act of 2009, or H.R. 985, would offer a…

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            Montana shield law expanded to forbid government subpoenas of third-party records

            With new amendments to the state shield law, journalists in Montana will not have to worry about electronic communications services turning over reporters's records to the government. House Bill 207, sponsored by Rep. Daniel Zolnikov, "prohibits government bodies from requesting or requiring disclosure of privileged news media information from services that transmit electronic communications." The…

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