Judith Miller: Time's Decision
The Decision of Time magazine to turn over Matt Cooper's notes was one of the key moments in the evolving story of the Plame investigation. It contrasted sharply with the New York Time's unwavering support of Miller. Time Editor in Chief Norman Perlstine described it as one of the hardest decisions in his life.
Issues and questions for discussion
- Perlstine said the decision brought out a battle between the journalist in him and the lawyer in him what did he mean by this? What values do these conflicting images of journalist and lawyer represent?
- Time's decision was partly a corporate decision to protect the business discuss the conflict between the bussiness interests and the public service role of Time Warner.
- Perlstine claimed that no one is above the law, how does this square with the tradition of a journalist as a public watch-dog of the politivcal and legal sphere?
- Is journalist source confidentiality an absolute privilege or are their circumstances under which there is a higher moral obligation to disgard it?
Resources
To Our Readers: A Case for the Supreme Court
Time Editor In Chief, Norman Pearlstine's statement prior to the Supreme Court decision
Norman Pearlstine's Statement announcing that Time will turn over notes
Time Inc. said it would comply with a court order requiring it to deliver the subpoenaed records to a grand jury in connection with the Special Counsel's investigation into the Valerie Plame matter. The decision follows the Supreme Court's refusal to review a federal court order requiring production of the documents
Matt Cooper's original Time story: Inside the Bush Administration's feud with the diplomat who poured cold water on the Iraq-uranium connection.
Matthew Cooper reveals exactly what Karl Rove told him--and what the special counsel zeroed in on.
Great timeline and set of links for Cooper articles
Time magazine to hand over reporter's notes
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Time Inc. announced Thursday it will turn over subpoenaed records from journalist Matt Cooper regarding the leak of a CIA operative's name, following a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court not to hear its appeal in the case.
Journalist at center of leak probe criticizes Time boss
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A Time magazine reporter said Sunday his boss' decision to turn over his notes and e-mails to a grand jury could impair the magazine's ability to gather information.
Journalist Testifies in CIA Case
Coopers first testimony: A federal judge yesterday canceled a contempt-of-court order against Time magazine and one of its reporters, Matthew Cooper, after Cooper was interviewed by Justice Department prosecutors investigating who leaked the identity of a covert CIA operative to journalists.
