Reporter held in contempt for anthrax case: A federal judge has ordered a former USA TODAY reporter to begin paying fines of up to $5,000 per day after finding her in contempt of court for failing to identify sources who named former Army scientist Steven Hatfill as a possible suspect in the 2001 anthrax attacks.
The decision late Friday night by U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton also requires Toni Locy — not her former employer or others — to pay the fines as long as she refuses to identify her sources. [...]
According to the court order, Locy is to begin paying the fines starting at midnight Tuesday on an escalating scale. She is ordered to pay $500 a day for the first week, $1,000 a day for a second week and $5,000 until April 3.
[act.: Reporter Appeals Judge's Contempt Order: Lawyers for Locy filed an appeal Monday saying that a judge is making demands that are overbroad and financially ruinous.]
The High Price of Ethics: All professionals have at least four loyalties. First, we have a loyalty to ourselves as human beings and as moral agents. We have personal needs as well as a moral compass that tells us what are the right things and the wrong things to do as human beings.
Second, we have a loyalty to our employers. In return for a paycheck, employers have the right to expect us to be loyal to their business practices.
Third, journalists have a loyalty to other journalists. When one journalist violates professional standards and practices, other journalists are painted with the same brush.
Finally, we have an obligation to society to act in ways that promote the common good.
In this particular case, Mabie's loyalties to himself, his profession and to society outweighed his loyalty to his employer.
