08-13-2008, 04:37 AM
How do you smear an anonymous person [B)]
Me--> Read Hunter's blog for a good primer on that subject.
Mark Fitz was deep throat and he released his info through a journalist who was shielded by journalism laws.
Me--> Check you facts dude, there were no "Shield Laws" back then. In some jurisdictions we have them now because it's been recognized that anonymity sometimes is crucial to getting the truth out.
BTW, there also was no INTERNET 40 years ago so the only way to anonymously get a story out was to, as Deep Throat did, trust a reporter not to divulge your identity. It's just a fact that sometimes that trust was misplaced and people have paid dearly for it.
FYI, in Hawaii we've had a shield law since July of this year. http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/...1003824339
As of yet there is no shield law in Federal Court.