ASNE writes judge in support of San Francisco Chronicle reporters
Posted 9/18/2006 5:31:00 PM
Reston, Va. -- The American Society of Newspaper Editors has written to federal judgeJeffrey S. White in support of San Francisco Chronicle reporters Mark Fainaru-Wadaand Lance Williams.
The reporters have refused to divulge their sources for stories about grand jurytestimony about the appearance of San Francisco Giants' player Barry Bonds before thejury 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 itprotects by refusing to enforce the contempt charge; if you must formally hold thesereporters in contempt of court, we ask that any punishment take into account the benefitrealized 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 reportersbut by a society made poorer by the loss of future vigorous reporting in the the publicinterest. Mark Fairanu-Wada and Lance Williams should rightfully be added to the list ofreporters 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 dailynewspapers in the Americas. It is a leader in improving diversity in newsrooms,strengthening newspaper credibility and improving high school journalism.
For more information, contact Suzanne Martin, Systems/Publications Manager, ASNE,703-453-1132, scj@asne.org.