In the case of Apple v. Does, the trial court made an exception for disclosure of a reporter's anonymous source because the "online reporters" published trade secrets. Bloggers worried, the Bear Flag League filed an amicus brief, other bloggers filed an amicus brief, and some mainstream news outlets such as the Associated Press filed their amicus brief also.
Some newspapers don't worry. They publish whatever they want using anonymous sources, even if national security may be involved. The Word Unheard discusses a NYT article which discloses CIA operations transporting terror suspect. After giving incredible detail, the NYT does not disclose the name of their source because he signed a secrecy agreement.
"Online reporters" have to defend themselves because they published product information which had the Confidential warning excised but the New York Times is publishing CIA operations and admitting in the article that he had signed a secrecy agreement.
Posted by Justene Adamec at May 31, 2005 07:31 AM | TrackBack