[Mb-civic] Bad Case for a Fight - Washington Post

[William Swiggard]

Bad Case for a Fight

By David Ignatius
Friday, July 8, 2005; Page A23

As a journalist, I'm angry that Judith Miller of the New York Times is 
in jail today for trying to protect a confidential source. But I am also 
angry that the press has allowed itself to be dragged into a no-win case 
that will weaken our ability to protect true whistle-blowers and thereby 
serve the public.

With the Valerie Plame leak investigation, the press has planted its 
flag on the least favorable ground to fight the larger battle for 
confidentiality. This is a case in which the sources weren't disclosing 
wrongdoing by others but were allegedly doing wrong themselves by 
blowing the cover of a CIA officer.

The journalists' position became even more awkward after special counsel 
Patrick Fitzgerald compelled sworn testimony from senior White House 
officials who were the likely leakers. If one of them had confessed, the 
case would be over. But what seems possible is that one or more White 
House officials who leaked information has denied under oath being the 
source. If so, this is now an investigation of perjury or obstruction of 
justice.        

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/07/AR2005070701900.html?nav=hcmodule
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