Reporter who witnessed assault must testify

Article Abstract:

The Minnesota Court of Appeals in St. Paul ruled in Minnesota v. Knutson that a reporter who witnessed an assault at an anti-nazi rally must testify and must release photos of the incident. The reporter and the Minnesota Daily asserted that the state's shield law protected the reporter. The Court disagreed, finding that the shield law only protects reporters when confidential sources are involved. The Court also noted that the state had shown a compelling need for the reporter's testimony regardless of whether the shield law applied.

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Destruction of notes usually sufficient to show actual malice

Article Abstract:

The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that actual malice was not present in a reporter's decision to destroy notes from an interview used in a story that he knew was going to be named in a libel suit. This ruling was an exceptional case because the person who was interviewed had already confirmed the accuracy of the statements used in the story in a deposition. Therefore, the interview notes had no evidentiary value and so their destruction could not indicate malice.

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High court orders journalists to testify before grand jury

Article Abstract:

The Illinois Supreme Court ruled in State v. Pawlaczyk that two reporters' privilege to protect sources was outweighed by public interest, their testimony being relevant and essential for determining whether their sources had committed perjury in a libel case.

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