NY Times Reporter Held in Contempt in CIA Leak Probe

A reporter for the New York Times was held in contempt Thursday by a federal judge and faces possible jail time for refusing to divulge confidential sources to prosecutors investigating the leak of an undercover CIA officer's identity.  U.S. District Judge Thomas F. Hogan ordered reporter Judith Miller jailed until she agrees to testify about her sources before a grand jury, but said she could remain free while pursuing an appeal. Miller could be jailed up to 18 months.  Miller and her attorney, Floyd Abrams, said the ruling undermines the ability of reporters to do their jobs.  "The ability of journalists to give their word, and to keep their word, that they will not reveal their sources is at the heart of journalism," Abrams said.  Hogan, calling the case "a classic confrontation of conflicting interests," cited Supreme Court rulings that reporters do not have absolute First Amendment protection from being compelled to testify before grand juries about confidential sources. While 31 states have laws shielding reporters' sources, no such protections exist in the federal system. [more ]