Should a Documentary Filmmaker Get a Journalist’s Privilege? – NYTimes.com

A Filmmaker’s Quest for Journalistic Protection

Chevron demanded 600 hours of outtakes from the film “Crude,” saying it could help the company show misconduct by the plaintiffs. The filmmaker argued that his work was protected.

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/08/us/08pollution.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

As part of its defense, Chevron demanded 600 hours of outtake footage from “Crude,” saying it could help the company show corruption and misconduct by the plaintiffs. The filmmaker argued that his work was protected by journalist privilege, which protects reporters and others in the newsgathering business from being compelled to reveal confidential sources or divulge confidential material.