Tim Russert, host and moderator of NBC’s “Meet the Press,” and Matthew Cooper, a reporter with Time Inc., both received subpoenas to appear before a federal grand jury investigating the leak of an undercover CIA officer’s name. The special prosecutor in the case, Patrick J. Fitzgerald, also asked for interviews with journalists from The Washington Post and Newsday.

“I find the decision to issue subpoenas in this case worrying,” said IPI Director Johann P. Fritz. “Although on the surface it appears that the present case is about information held by two journalists, there is actually a universal principle at stake, namely, the right of journalists to deal with their sources in confidence.

“Without this central tenet of journalism reporters would be unable to encourage individuals to come forward and speak on matters of public interest. Individuals who, in other circumstances, might not be prepared to speak.”

“By issuing subpoenas to Russert and Cooper and by perhaps forcing them to appear before a grand jury to divulge information, the investigation is undermining the ability of journalists to practice their profession.”

“From the moment Russert and Cooper enter the grand jury room, they, their associates and their organisations will no longer have the full trust and confidence of their sources and, because of this, their ability to report on noteworthy issues will be severely impaired,” said Fritz.

“I hope the subpoenas will be quashed and that, in the future, the authorities avoid entangling the media in their criminal investigations,” he added.

Background Note: The subpoenas against the journalists arise from an investigation regarding the disclosure of Valerie Plame as a member of the CIA by columnist Robert Novak. It has been alleged that government officials made the disclosure. The identification of Plame is potentially a criminal act under the Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1982 or certain sections of the 1917 Espionage Act.