EFF: Hearing Friday Could Determine the Future of Online Journalists' Rights

Electronic Frontier Foundation Media Release:

San Jose, CA - This Friday, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) will face attorneys for Apple Computer in a hearing to determine whether three independent online journalists will be given the same legal protections as journalists who work for traditional media publications.

Apple is suing several unnamed individuals, called "Does," who allegedly leaked information about an upcoming product code-named "Asteroid." Apple has subpoenaed Nfox, the Internet service provider (ISP) for PowerPage.com publisher Jason O'Grady, demanding that the ISP turn over the communications and unpublished materials O'Grady obtained while he was gathering information for his articles about "Asteroid." Apple has also been granted permission to issue subpoenas to EFF clients AppleInsider.com and PowerPage for similar information.

In the first case of its kind, EFF will argue that these online reporters' confidential sources and unpublished material are protected by both the reporter's shield in the California Constitution and the reporter's privilege protected by the federal First Amendment. The hearing will be Friday, March 4, at 10:00 a.m. at the Santa Clara County Superior Court, 191 North First Street, San Jose. Press are welcome to attend. Seating is limited.

Apple v. Does:
http://www.eff.org/Censorship/Apple_v_Does/