(IAPA/IFEX) – The following is a 21 November 2001 IAPA press release: IAPA reiterates its support for jailed US freelance writer Miami (November 21, 2001) – The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) expressed today its deep concern for Vanessa Leggett, freelance writer and book author, who completed four months in federal detention in Texas, on […]
(IAPA/IFEX) – The following is a 21 November 2001 IAPA press release:
IAPA reiterates its support for jailed US freelance writer
Miami (November 21, 2001) – The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) expressed today its deep concern for Vanessa Leggett, freelance writer and book author, who completed four months in federal detention in Texas, on the charge of contempt of court, for refusing to give up confidential information requested by a grand jury.
The federal prosecutor’s office had the grand jury issue a subpoena in July to compel Leggett to render information gathered by her for the publication of a book related to a high-profile murder in Houston.
Earlier this month, the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans denied her motion for bond, pending exhaustion of her appeals, as well as her request for a rehearing on the basis that there is no reporter’s privilege that would allow her to refuse to testify and withhold research before a grand jury. Her attorney announced that he and Leggett would appeal to the U.S. High Court.
Robert J. Cox, President of the IAPA and Assistant Editor of The Post and Courier of Charleston, South Carolina, stated that, “it is a negative precedent in the United States that a freelance writer be detained more than four months for not complying with the wishes of the federal investigators of becoming an informant in a murder investigation and it is causing irreparable harm to Vanessa and her family.”
“What is even more disturbing is the idea that Leggett, initially arrested on July 20th, may be incarcerated up to 18 months for being ethical and not relinquishing her moral duty of protecting her confidential sources. We firmly object to the use by the authorities of journalistic and research materials of freelance writers or journalists in criminal justice investigations,” said Cox.
Cox added that the IAPA will continue to support the detained writer, Leggett, as was already manifested by last October’s visit of the IAPA delegation to the prison in Texas and its recent resolution issued during the General Assembly in Washington, D.C.
