Blog
Maui officials issue subpoena for identities of anonymous commenters
- By: ASNE staff
- On: 06/02/2011 15:26:00
- In: Freedom of the press
ASNE has addressed the applicability of shield laws to reader comments in the past, noting that there is a great deal of variation among the states, with no clear trend. Russo has vowed to fight the subpoenas.
Whether anonymous commenters to stories on a news website are “sources” under the reporters privilege is a hot issue in media law. The latest case involves alternative newsweekly Maui Time, whose publisher was involved in an incident with Maui police while gathering news. The publisher videotaped the incident and posted the video on the Maui Time website, along with a story headlined, “Maui Time Publisher Tommy Russo Assaulted By MPD.” Several readers commented on the story, prompting local police and the district attorney to issue a subpoena for their identities, based on the “terroristic threatening” of a police officer. ASNE has addressed the applicability of shield laws to reader comments in the past, noting that there is a great deal of variation among the states, with no clear trend. Russo has vowed to fight the subpoenas. Hawaii just renewed its state shield law for two more years, and we'll be watching to see how a court interprets that law.