Matt Cooper: “There’s no congratulations, this is a very sad day.”

Matt Cooper spoke to reporters after the hearing outside the courthouse:

“It is a sad time when two journalists who are simply doing their jobs, and trying to keep confidences, report important stories face the prospect of going to prison for keeping those confidences. My heart goes out to Judy. I told her as I left the court to stay strong.

“I think this clearly points out the need for some kind of national shield law – most states have some protections for jouralists, as you know – 49 states have protections for journalists – three is no federal shield law and that’s why we find ourselves here today. And I hope Congress, which is considering a federal shield law — sponsored by both Republicans and Democrats — will consider it so we don’t have to go through another day like today. It is a very sad day.”

Cooper said that, despite the fact that his employer “Time Magazine had, over my objections, turned over my notes and emails” he would still have remained in civil contempt out of his duty to his source
He called the decision by his source to waive the promised cofidentiality a “stunning set of developments” — but said he would only have accepted that waiver if it was “specific, personal and unambiguous”:

“Now let me make it entirely clear: I am with Judy, that these government-issued waivers that the prosecutor’s been handing out are not worth the paper they’re written on…they’re just not voluntary if your boss hands you something and says ‘sign it.’ It’s coercive, it cannot be considered voluntary, and I don’t think any reporter can take that as a legitimate waiver. I could not.”

Matt Cooper did not reveal the name of his source to reporters. Judith Miller did not reveal the name of her source to the Judge. Patrick Fitzgerald did not reveal the name of anyone he’s indicted in this matter. Judge Hogan did not reveal the contents of the eight blank pages in the appeal court decision.

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