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Free Toni Locy

By Mark Obbie

I'm one of those old-fashioned reporters who tries hard not to let personal biases creep into my work. I strive for a level of open-mindedness in my work that leaves readers (or students) in the dark about my own beliefs. But this time I'm going to cite the Tony Mauro Exception to Journalistic Neutrality (Tony calls it the Walter Cronkite Exception, but Walter's never personally counseled me on the need to make this exception, and Tony has). I'm going to be an advocate on a legal controversy that has two competing points of view, but only one of them cuts to the core of what makes American journalism independent. Judge Reggie Walton's decision to coerce former USA Today reporter Toni Locy into betraying her sources in the Stephen Hatfill case -- even though Locy has cooperated, within professional bounds, already -- is unfortunate, but all too common in federal courts today, since we lack a federal shield law. What's truly over-the-top reprehensible is that Walton is turning up the heat by intending to personally bankrupt Locy. By denying her former employer, or anyone else, the chance to help Locy pay any fines that accrue, Walton isn't just using the power of contempt as leverage. He's using it as a dagger. It defies common sense, and common decency, to attempt to destroy a professional who is merely exercising her First Amendment freedoms and responsibly juggling those freedoms with her duties as a citizen. Locy, a veteran legal journalist and now a fellow journalism teacher, deserves more respect than this from the courts. All journalists must demand that she get that respect. Support her appeal. Press for a federal shield law. And tell Walton what you think of his un-American ruling.

Full post as published by Lawbeat on March 11, 2008 (boomark / email).