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<cite class="author_name heading"><cite class="comment_author_name">Anon</cite></cite> <span class="says">says:</span>

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July 9, 2018 at 9:42 pm </time>
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<p>I believe that there is a line of defense to the position that Sullivan may be coming from. While it is not codified in law there has been a longstanding expectation that journalists protect their sources and are, in turn protected from the legal consequences of say talking to a drug dealer to get “the truth” and then refusing to turn him or her in to the police. </p>
<p>If this is a blanket exemption then it is a relatively bright line rule and it is easier for it to defend it in court and in society because it is a full-scale obligation much like doctor-patient confidentiality. Yes that has exemptions but it also has a clear boundary and an obligation for the doctor in absence of that specific exemption. But if it is now up to journalists to decide when this occurs then it becomes harder to explain why one person deserves protection and another does not. Or at least harder in court. That is why I suspect many journalists are uncomfortable at any outing even of those who would feed them lies. </p>
<p>Note that I am not criticizing Marcy’s decision. Even with what I have read I do not feel that I know enough to claim that she made the wrong call. But I do see a legitimate reason to worry about any outing, even this one.</p>
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<cite class="author_name heading"><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" href="http://twitter.com/raynetoday" data-wpel-link="external"><cite class="comment_author_name">Rayne</cite></a></cite> <span class="says">says:</span>

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July 10, 2018 at 12:27 am </time>
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<p><a href="https://www.oyez.org/cases/1971/70-85" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external"><em>Branzburg v. Hayes</em></a></p>
<p>I am resisting the urge to go completely off on you because the very example you swag in your first graf is an actual Supreme Court case which came to an entirely different conclusion. See this bit in particular from <a href="https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/408/665/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external"><em>Branzburg v. Hayes</em>, 408 U.S. 665</a>: “decisions requiring that official action with adverse impact on First Amendment rights be justified by a public interest that is ‘compelling’ or ‘paramount'”</p>
<p>Think carefully about source’s content that might be ‘compelling’ or ‘paramount’ to the public’s interest.</p>
<p>Bring your A game next time because we have been here with <em>Branzburg</em> before (hello, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2004/11/29/in-leak-case-reporters-lack-shield-for-sources/7d564783-5382-49fe-991b-7e5234fd5907/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">Judy “Blew Lies” Miller</a>).</p>
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<cite class="author_name heading"><cite class="comment_author_name">Greenhouse</cite></cite> <span class="says">says:</span>

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July 10, 2018 at 4:10 pm </time>
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<p>Oh no you didn’t! You had go Sweet Judy. You just had to do it didn’t Rayne. How did you know I love it so :)</p>
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<cite class="author_name heading"><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" href="http://twitter.com/raynetoday" data-wpel-link="external"><cite class="comment_author_name">Rayne</cite></a></cite> <span class="says">says:</span>

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July 10, 2018 at 4:20 pm </time>
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<p>LOL glad you enjoyed it!</p>
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<cite class="author_name heading"><cite class="comment_author_name">Anon</cite></cite> <span class="says">says:</span>

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<p>I must say snide responses do you no credit. I was not aware of the precedent now I am. I had thought this was a conversation not a “game”. If you reread my general point you will see that I am not scoring points but noting one entirely valid angle of concern. A bright line rule is one that is easier to defend but also easier to exploit.</p>
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<cite class="author_name heading"><a rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer" href="http://twitter.com/raynetoday" data-wpel-link="external"><cite class="comment_author_name">Rayne</cite></a></cite> <span class="says">says:</span>

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<p>That response you interpreted as snide was an angry response to what appeared to be trolling on your part. Search for “Branzburg v. Hayes” across this site and you may find your concerns may already have been discussed over the years.</p>
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<cite class="author_name heading"><cite class="comment_author_name">Anon</cite></cite> <span class="says">says:</span>

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<p>I really don’t see how what I wrote could be interpreted as trolling. I was making a careful point about one interpretation of the privilege not anything else. Indeed as I noted I was not taking a position on the propriety of what Marcy has done as I don’t know enough about it. That is her call to make. </p>
<p>As to your point on the case I will look at it that is definitely new information to me.</p>
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