Are Kansas Courts overstepping their bounds in a freedom of the press case?
Claire O’Brien, a Dodge City Globe reporter, learned details from an interview with a murder suspect. Ford County attorney Terry Malone wants to force her to reveal her sources:
From today’s Hutchinson News: Dodge City reporter is fined for court no-show
From today’s Pittsburg Morning Sun: Dodge City reporter found in contempt
From the Feb 3 Lawrence Journal-World: Judge denies subpoena stay for Dodge City reporter
Doug Anstaett, executive director of the Kansas Press Association, said the ruling sends an “unmistakably chilling message” to reporters and their sources.
“Reporters won’t be able to do their jobs and sources will not come forward now that they see that the strong arm of government can be used to silence them,” Anstaett said in an e-mailed statement
Updates:
- Source comes forward; Globe reporter testifies, Dodge City Globe, Feb 13, 2010.
- Kansas reporter’s contempt order lifted, Kansas City Star, Feb 13, 2010.
- Reporter testifies about story at inquisition, Hutchinson News, Feb 12, 2010.
Contact: Earl F Glynn, earl@kansaswatchdog.org, KansasWatchdog.org
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