Good News: National Media File Brief in Support of McDermott

As many of you know by now, I am fighting a long-running court battle against right-wing Republicans who want to punish me for contributing to the downfall of Newt Gingrich by passing along incriminating information to the media. On June 15, 2005, I received some much-needed good news: 17 news organizations—representing nearly all the major U.S. media outlets—filed an amicus curiae (friends-of-the-court) brief in my defense.

Why? Because they realize, as we have all along, that this case is not about me: It's a bold-faced attack on freedom of the press. As a result of the last decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in this case, the court has created the possibility that a reporter who obtains information of public importance could be subject to punishment, even if the reporter did not break any law in obtaining it and disseminating it to the public.

Here are just a few of the familiar signatures on the brief: the Associated Press; the New York Times Company; ABC, Inc.; CBS Corporation; and NBC Universal, Inc. (You'll note, with little surprise, I'm sure, that FOX declined to sign.) To date, the Republicans have not had any amicus curiae briefs filed on their behalf in this case.

Unfortunately, the brief has not yet been posted to the Web, but as soon as it is, we will link to it from this site. To get full details on the case, read Get the Facts. Or help us fight to protect the First Amendment by making a contribution.

Revision date: July 29, 2005