New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-12
TJIE DEODT NC COT TININ An Open Forum for
IEOI LIZ NOhONI1< Debate

The Tribune says tnat IL WOulu Oe
false to its record as a defender Of the
freedom Of the press II it did not resist
TO the bitter end a proceeding which
trenches upon that liberty and seeks to
cripple the efficiency of the press as a
helpful critic Of public men and public
measures"
Newspaper generally will indorse The
Tribune's stand and demand decision
that will settle for all time the question
Of the rights OF papers TO refuse to di-
vulge the source Of information that
works for the public welfare and good.
Reporters should enjoy the same pro-
fessional rights as attorneys, physicians
ard clergymep and be legally exempt
from testifying I'm cases where they pos
sess information that IS given only under
a pledge of secrecy.
Public opinion invariably favors the re-
porter who honorably stands by his OBJ
legation. and The Fourth Estate" sim
cerely hopes that the highest court in the
land will do the same thing and forever
settle this much-mooted ~question.-New
York Fourth Estate.
THE NETWORK TRIBUNE con-
TEMPT CASE.
Two members of The New-York Tribune
city staff were fined $500 each this week
for contempt of court in refusing to re-
veal to a federal grand jury their sources
of news in two recent smuggling cases
They had scored a beat in securing conf
Dental information not obtainable
through the usual channels. There was
no question as to the accuracy of the
news printed, nor were the newspaper
men accused of committing crime. They
simply refused to divulge their sources of
information on the ground that it might
tend TO incrimnate them.
Bent upon locating the leak in the de-
partment, the Treasury officials obtained
from President Wilson pardon securing
the newspaper men against punishmentof
any crime involved in their answering.
Persistent refusal TO give up the inform
ants names led TO the fine, and a possible
Jail term II they fail to purge themselves
Of contempt. Judge Hand, in imposing
the penalty, sustained the Presidents
n
convicted.
II is an established principle in the prac-
tice of journalism that the confidential
relation obtaining between the reporter
and his informant is as close and binding
as that which the law recognizes between
doctor and patient or lawyer and client.
Indeed. it is one of the protective meas
for the press. Much information is thus
obtained by the newspapers through con-
fdential, though virtually unofficial.
sources. II is one OF the safeguards of a
democratic government and permits a
vigilant press TO keep all-watchful eyes
upon TIE public service.
Is not the Treasury Department. then.
taking on bureaucratic function when il
seeks TO control information concernn.
governmental operations about which the
people are entitled to full publicity? If
a crime TO obtain news through any chan
rel available to the alert newspaper man.
snd punishment is TO be meted out 10 both
Informant and informer. then the liberty
of the press is seriously threatened
Newspaper men are ever on the alert
for inside" news and never betrav tho
confidence under which alone, i'm many
cases. they are able 10 obtain official in
formation unofiicially. The Tribune men
assert that they will continue 10 refuse 70
divulge their informants' names. come
what may To have betrayed the men
Who trusted them would not only have
earned the contempt OF their fellow work
ers. but would have meant ostracism from
the newspaper field. The courts action is
unreasonable and restricts personal lib
orty. Our whole constitutional system is
based upon the freedom OF tho press and
its safeguarding for tho greatest public
good.
we arc living in an era OF governmental
publicity and any attempt to muzzle the
press by clogging the channels. above or
ielow ground. through which news must
he obtained IS n blow at that democratic
freedom which has been the glory and
example OF our land-New York Editor
--' p"hiieh.r