popular controversy where private information provided by corporations to legal courts leaked to the public?

Question

there was this US issue before about a reporter who invoked her right to privacy even when the courts required her to disclose something.. couldn't remember exactly.. that was two or three years back... thanks

Answer 1

You're mixing two issues.

The reporter invoked the privacy of her SOURCE -- which is a concept called the Journalist Privilege -- similar to the concept of attorney-client privilege or priest-penitent privilege.

However, that's not a recognized protection at the federal level, so the reporter was thrown in jail (under contempt charges) for refusing to answer the question.

And it's a separate legal issue with regard to any corporation or news agency is publishing classified information. Which is illegal -- except (arguably) if the classified information being leaked is solely about illegal activities. Illegal activities cannot legally be classified.

Which is again a separate and distinct issue from information being made available to the courts during civil or criminal trials -- and whether the information was under seal, or otherwise classified by the court.