NOTES AT ISSUE

August 2001
		Who should receive the First Amendment's freedom of the press protections? How far should those protections extend? Two experts take your questions.

Forum introduction Are only professional journalists afforded some First Amendment freedoms? Can the government take Ms. Leggett's research without compensating her? Could Ms. Leggett have destroyed her notes? How do you read the Fifth Circuit's decision? What does the decision mean for journalists?

Warren Wishnack of Corpus Christi, Texas asks: Would Vanessa Leggett have had the right to destroy her notes and research material if she chose to?   Lucy Dalglish responds: She could have destroyed it up until the point she was subpoenaed. Once she was subpoenaed, she would have likely been charged with some form of obstruction.   Bruce Fein responds: Once a subpoena has been issued, the destruction of documents would be an obstruction of justice. But Leggett could have destroyed her notes and research before the subpoena without legal hazard.