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Send to friendSPJ leaders say latest grand jury order demonstrates need for federal shield lawFor Immediate Release:5/30/2008Contact:
Clint Brewer, President, (615) 668-4535
Beth King, Communications Manager (317) 927-8000, ext. 211INDIANAPOLIS — Leaders of the Society of Professional Journalists say a federal judge’s order to force Washington Times National Security Reporter William Gertz to testify before grand jury further illustrates the need for a federal shield law.On Friday, Judge Cormac J. Carney of the Central District of California subpoenaed Gertz to testify before a federal grand jury on June 13 regarding his sources from a 2006 story about the prosecution of a Chinese spy ring in California. The article in question discussed expected charges against an engineer who worked for American defense contractors, Chi Mak and his family. Gertz attributed his sources to senior Justice Department officials.
