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ASNE writes judge in support of San Francisco Chronicle reporters
- By: ASNE staff
- On: 09/18/2006 17:31:00
- In: Freedom of the press
Reston, Va. -- The American Society of Newspaper Editors has written to federal judge Jeffrey S. White in support of San Francisco Chronicle reporters Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams.
Reston, Va. -- The American Society of Newspaper Editors has written to federal judge Jeffrey S. White in support of San Francisco Chronicle reporters Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams.
The reporters have refused to divulge their sources for stories about grand jury testimony about the appearance of San Francisco Giants' player Barry Bonds before the jury investigating the distribution of steroids by the Bay Area Laboratory Cooperative. They are scheduled to appear before Judge White on contempt charges Thursday.
In the letter, ASNE president David A. Zeeck specifically asked the judge:
"We hope that you will recognize the First Amendment and the editorial independence it protects by refusing to enforce the contempt charge; if you must formally hold these reporters in contempt of court, we ask that any punishment take into account the benefit realized by the public through the accurate, timely reporting of the reporters.
"The deterrent effect of a severe criminal penalty would be felt not only by two reporters but by a society made poorer by the loss of future vigorous reporting in the the public interest. Mark Fairanu-Wada and Lance Williams should rightfully be added to the list of reporters whose efforts have bettered our society throughout history by truth-telling. Their contribution tot he public good has been immense."
The complete text of this letter is available below.
ASNE, with about 750 members, is the largest organization of directing editors of daily newspapers in the Americas. It is a leader in improving diversity in newsrooms, strengthening newspaper credibility and improving high school journalism.
Attachment
Letter to Judge Jeffrey S. White