Appeal from contempt ruling against reporters in CIA leak case [DC Circuit] News
Appeal from contempt ruling against reporters in CIA leak case [DC Circuit]

In re: Grand Jury Subpoena, Judith Miller, United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Circuit Judge Sentelle, February 15, 2005 [upholding a prior contempt ruling against two reporters who refused to disclose their sources to investigators looking into the leak of an undercover CIA agent's name to the press].Excerpt:

[W]e agree with the District Court that there is no First Amendment privilege protecting the evidence sought. We further conclude that if any such common law privilege exists, it is not absolute, and in this case has been overcome by the filings of the Special Counsel with the District Court.

Read the full text of the opinion here [PDF]. Reported in JURIST's Paper Chase here.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Republic of Ireland Act enters force

On April 18, 1949, the Republic of Ireland Act went into force, creating a republic in the state of Ireland. The Act repealed the Executive Authority Act, which had given governing authority in Ireland to the King of England.

Treason charges against poet Ezra Pound dropped

On April 18, 1958, treason charges against American poet Ezra Pound, first laid in 1943 in connection with his wartime broadcasts for the Italian Fascist government of Benito Mussolini, were dropped.

Read Jonas Doberman, The Treason Debate: Ezra Pound and his Rome Radio Broadcasts[PDF].

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