Explain why the Supreme Court’s ruling in Branzburg v. Hayes prompted states to adopt shield laws.

What will be an ideal response?

Answers should include the following points: (1) The decision failing to find either a First Amendment or common law privilege to protect journalists from the obligation to testify was narrow and related only to journalists being subpoenaed to testify before grand juries. (2) The opinion did not clearly guide the determination of privilege in other contexts. (3) One concurring opinion and the dissenting opinions suggested that the Court might consider the existence of a reporter’s privilege outside of grand jury proceedings. (4) The decision could be interpreted as rejecting the existence of reporter’s privilege. Therefore, only shield laws could protect reporters’ sources, process, and work product.

Communication & Mass Media

You might also like to view...

"The problem's complexity" is what problem characteristic?

A. intrinsic interest B. population familiarity C. solution multiplicity D. cooperative requirements E. acceptance requirements F. task difficulty

Communication & Mass Media

Vivian, an African American, finds that she seems to explain how she and Janet, a European American, became friends much more frequently than she has to explain her friendships with other African Americans. Sometimes she and Janet laugh about the curiosity of others. Vivian and Janet have encountered ________, a challenge to intercultural relationships.

A. negative stereotypes B. affirming another's cultural identity C. the need for explanations D. anxiety

Communication & Mass Media