APME Survey Suggests Readers Support Judy Miller

By: Joe Strupp More than half of readers responding to an online APME survey said they felt reporter Judith Miller of The New York Times was right to refuse a court order to reveal an anonymous source, and go to jail to protect that person's identity.

The survey, conducted by Associated Press Managing Editors, gathered responses through the Web sites of 25 small and mid-sized daily newspapers and newspaper groups between July 13-18. The poll, which included 1,114 responses from 36 states, also sought opinions on Time magazine turning over confidential documents, an Ohio editor sitting on a story based on leaked documents, and which journalists deserve source protection.

"The one thing they did agree on: If you know about important information that's going to make a difference in our lives, find some way to tell us," the report declared.

Fifty-five percent of those who responded agreed with Miller's decision to go to jail rather than give up her source in the Valerie Plame CIA leak investigation. Thirty-four percent disagreed and 10% were undecided.

The sentiment turned, however, when surveyors asked about Time magazine's controversial decision to turn over documents revealing the identity of a source in the same Plame case. Nearly half, 49%, said the magazine was right to take the action, with 35% disagreeing. A larger percentage, 15%, said they could not decide.

"When I first heard Time Inc.'s explanation for complying with the court order I felt that it made sense," said Mike Dempster of Durham, N.C. "They suggested that without complying they would be placing themselves above the law. But then I heard the NY Times response. That made even more sense to me. The journalist who stands behind their promise to protect the anonymity of a source, and goes to jail to follow through with that protection, is not placing themselves above the law. They are participating fully, by accepting the punishment and serving the time sentenced by the court. And they are doing something even more important ... maintaining the viability of our fourth estate."

On a related matter, pollsters were asked about a decision by Editor Doug Clifton of The Plain Dealer in Cleveland to hold two stories based on leaked documents because Clifton fears they could prompt legal action against the paper. Clifton has said the stories are "of profound importance" because they're based on documents leaked to the newspaper by people who would "face deep trouble" for having leaked them.

Only 36% of those responding believed the paper should use the leaked documents for a story, with 46% advising that the paper continue to pursue the story in other ways. Just 5% thought the paper should hold off on the story and 12% were undecided. The survey was conducted before the paper published the held story on Thursday, a day after a local alternative weekly first reported it.

A federal shield law, which would protect reporters who want to keep sources confidential when faced with disclosure in federal courts, drew a sharply divided response in the poll as 44% favored the law, and 41% opposed it. Fourteen percent were undecided.

When asked which of the following should receive legal source protection as a reporter or journalist, 68% said "mainstream news," 56% said "mainstream commentary," 52% said "free-lance," 27% said, "amateurs," and 21% said "bloggers."