Tallying the Subpoenas.

This article examines the issue of journalists being served subpoenas to testify against their confidential sources. To further the debate, RonNell Jones, of the University of Arizona, is trying to quantify the problem and provide hard data where there is none. Jones has created a survey for newspaper editors to answer regarding any subpoenas they are aware of. The 24-question survey begins with a set of queries aimed at all news organizations, including those that have not received subpoenas. These focus on newsroom policy on confidential sources, perceptions of the impact of subpoenas and whether the legal climate for the news media has changed. The next section addresses the number of subpoenas the news organization has received, who issued them and for what reason.