The case is among the most serious legal clashes between the media and the government since the Supreme Court in 1971 refused to stop the Times and The Washington Post from publishing a classified history of the Vietnam War known as the
Pentagon Papers.

Thirty-one states and the District of Columbia have shield laws protecting reporters from having to identify their confidential sources. Legislation to establish such protection under federal law has been introduced in Congress.

This presents an interesting case. If DC has a protective clause specifically indemnifying reporters, that should fall into federal jurisdiction, meaning the requested information would have to fall into some other jurisdiction?

I'm still finding this whole case a bit odd, especially when the person who broke the story, Bob Novak, "the Angel of Darkness" isn't under this kind of order. Does that mean he rolled over or has he not been asked?

Prosecutor Demands Time Reporter Testimony