The Asian American Journalists Association has issued the following statement in support of Judith Miller, reporter for The New York Times who was sentenced to jail for refusing to reveal her sources to investigators trying to figure out who leaked the name of undercover CIA officer Valerie Plame to the media:
"We at the Asian American Journalists Association are disturbed by the court's decision to jail Ms. Miller. The use of anonymous sources is rare but crucial in reporting the news, especially in instances when the grip on secrecy is tight or the retaliation for whistle-blowing is great. Without it, the public's right to know is put in jeopardy. Ms. Miller is right in honoring her pledge and refusing to divulge her source. We stand with her."
AAJA has also joined many journalism organizations in supporting a federal shield law
Preview the First Amendment ad signed by AAJA that will run in the next issue of Presstime magazine.