Reporter Facing Heavy Contempt Fines Urges Media to "Turn and Fight"

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Former USA Today reporter Toni Locy, who faces fines of up to $5,000 a day for failing to reveal sources in stories she wrote about the 2001 anthrax attacks, urged news organizations to go on the offensive in the fight to protect the First Amendment. “It’s time to stop running. It’s time to turn and fight. If we don’t fight for the First Amendment, who will?” Locy said in a speech to the National Freedom of Information Coalition. She said a national shield law is critical to enable reporters to protect their sources. (5/12/08)