Website Launched to Support RI Journalist Facing Prison

Providence TV journalist, Jim Taricani, faces 6-months in prison to refusing to disclose the name of a news source. A website has been launched to rally support for the award winning journalist.

(PRWEB) November 23, 2004 -- A website, designed to organize support for a Rhode Island journalist facing a prison term for protecting a news source has been launched. The website, http://www.PlunderDome.com is designed to show support for WJAR TV journalist Jim Taricani, who faces a 6-month jail term, on December 9th, for refusing to disclose the identity of a news source.

During an FBI investigation into corruption in the city of Providence, (Operation Plunder Dome") city officials were videotaped taking bribes. The investigation resulted in numerous convictions including a lengthy prison term for the former mayor.

Mr. Taricani obtained one of the FBI video tapes and broadcast the tape before the trial took place. While airing the tape was not illegal, a federal judge wants to know who leaked it to Mr. Taricani.

Mr. Taricani has refused to identify the source and the judge has threatened him with a prison term. NBC/Universal, which owns WJAR-TV, which broadcast the tape, has already paid an $85,000 fine on behalf of Mr. Taricani.

The website will help organize public support for Mr. Taricani and to urge the judge not to sentence the journalist to jail. The site includes web links" to public officials asking them to speak out against a jail term for Mr. Taricani. The site also features a suggested letter which users can send to the judge.

The site includes a history of shield laws, which date back to 1936 and were first used as a crime fighting tool. The governor of Arkansas, who helped create the first Shield Law" in 1936 realized that journalists would be able to uncover crime, if they were able to protect the identity of a news source.

http://www.PlunderDome.com is not associated with NBC/Universal, any of its employees, agents or shareholders.

# # #