Tonight’s episode of “Law & Order: SVU” was a riveting portrayal of the ongoing debate over journalists and their confidential sources.
Detective Benson (played by Mariska Hargitay) butts heads with the feds when she discloses confidential information to a reporter for a paper modeled after the New York Post. Her motive is to reveal the threat posed by a potential anthrax outbreak stemming from a security breach during Hurricane Katrina.
The story on “Law & Order: SUV” reflects the current atmosphere in which reporters are under assault from federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald in the CIA leak case. I’ve written about Rep. Mike Pence’s media shield bill, which currently awaits action from the House Judiciary Committee.
The more attention this issue gets, the more likely Americans will see how important journalists are to advancing the principles of democracy.
