RE: [Leica] Journalistic principles

["B. D. Colen" <bdcolen@earthlink.net>]

I knew that you are a former Marine, world-class authority on the history of
the German optical industry, and an attorney: I didn't know you were a First
Amendment expert or an expert on either journalism practices or journalistic
dealings with law enforcement authorities. But then I seem to learn
something new every day.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of
> Marc James
> Small
> Sent: Friday, November 26, 1999 6:39 PM
> To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> Subject: Re: [Leica] Journalistic principles
>
>
> At 12:55 PM 11/26/1999 -0000, B. D. Colen wrote:
> >If I agree to show a story to Joe Blow, I have no moral ground -
> >and may have shaky legal ground on which to stand - when I
> refuse to show a
> >copy of a story to the FBI, Justice Department, or local police
> >department..,..and THAT is a precedent no journalist worth
> the name wants to
> >set....
> >
>
> This argument is simply and completely invalid.  Whether or
> not you showed
> the article to the subject has no bearing, at all, as to
> whether you share
> it with a police agency:  you haven't "waived" anything.  In
> any event,
> that isn't the issue with the police:  they generally want to see your
> notes, listen to your tape recordings, and ascertain the
> names, addresses,
> voice and FAX telephone numbers, and E-mail addresses of your sources.
>
> Marc
>
> msmall@roanoke.infi.net  FAX:  +540/343-7315
> Cha robh bas fir gun ghras fir!
>
>