Editorial: Free press endangered

Friday, Oct. 15, 2004 | 9:16 a.m.

The identity of an undercover CIA agent was disclosed in a newspaper column last year. The agent's husband, a former ambassador, had criticized the Bush administration. It is suspected that the agent's name was leaked by someone in the federal government as retribution.

An ongoing federal inquiry into who leaked the name has overstepped its authority, in our view. We agree that any federal employee who had access to the secret should be scrutinized. But we strongly oppose a federal judge who is now going after two reporters, one for The New York Times and one for Time magazine. They face jail and stiff fines for not revealing any sources they may have who could shed light on the leak.

A free press will be a thing of the past if reporters can be jailed for not revealing their sources. If reporters begin relenting under such pressure, confidential sources will dry up and the press's role as government watchdog will be severely diminished. Most states, including Nevada, have shield laws protecting reporters and their sources. Congress should follow suit and pass a national shield law.

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