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Summit to focus on stemming erosion of the First Amendment

RESTON, Va. -- The American Society of Newspaper Editors later this week will convene top newsroom leaders, national security experts, lawyers and others concerned about the compelled disclosure of confidential sources.

RESTON, Va. -- The American Society of Newspaper Editors later this week will convene top newsroom leaders, national security experts, lawyers and others concerned about the compelled disclosure of confidential sources. 

In civil and criminal cases, journalists are increasingly being held in contempt and threatened with jail or fines for refusing to divulge sources of information.

SPEAKERS AND PANELISTS INCLUDE:

  • Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff.
  • Bill Keller, executive editor of The New York Times.
  • Leonard Downie Jr., executive editor of The Washington Post.
  • Philip A. Bronstein, editor of the San Francisco Chronicle.
  • Geoffrey Stone, Harry Kalven Jr. Distinguished Service Professor of Law at The University of Chicago Law School.
  • Joseph diGenova, founding partner, diGenova & Toensing, LLP

The daylong summit will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 18 in the ballroom of the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The entire event is open for media coverage.

ASNE, with the financial support of the McCormick Tribune Foundation, is convening this gathering. ASNE is also partnering with The Poynter Institute for Media Studies.

Secretary Chertoff's address will take place at 1:15 p.m.

Members of the press who wish to cover any part of the day or want a complete agenda should contact ASNE in advance.

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