United States: Mississippi Court Orders Pulitzer Prize Winner Anna Wolfe to Disclose Confidential Sources
Women Press Freedom believes decision poses grave threat to press freedom, it must be swiftly overturned
Location: United States, Mississippi
Date: June 11, 2024
A Mississippi court has issued a controversial mandate requiring journalist Anna Wolfe and her colleagues at Mississippi Today to reveal their confidential sources in a defamation case by former Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant. This decision follows Wolfe's investigative reporting on a significant welfare scandal implicating Bryant. Wolfe and her editor, Adam Ganucheau, are currently appealing this ruling, to protect the identities of those who contributed to their Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation. If upheld, this order not only jeopardizes the safety and anonymity of these sources but also sends a worrying message to journalists across the country. Women Press Freedom calls on the Mississippi Supreme Court to overturn this court order and reaffirm the essential role of a free press in a democratic society
WPF strongly condemns the ongoing legal proceedings against Gözde Bedeloğlu, a journalist for BirGün, who is currently facing charges of "insulting a public official" in Istanbul, Turkiye, filed by a Nationalist Movement Party politician.
During the ongoing Israel/Palestine conflict, the fundamental principles of press freedom have come under dire threat.
WPF welcomes the judgment of the Fair Work Commission that found that broadcaster Antoinette Lattouf was fired by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) following a social media post by Lattouf sharing a Human Rights Watch claim about Israel's actions in Gaza.
Former Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant filed a defamation lawsuit against journalist Anna Wolfe and Mississippi Today following her exposé that revealed the misallocation of $77 million in federal welfare funds under his administration. Central to Wolfe's reporting are allegations of misconduct involving Bryant and NFL Hall of Famer Brett Favre.
Initially filed against Mississippi Today and its CEO Mary Margaret White, Bryant expanded his lawsuit to include Wolfe and editor Adam Ganucheau, citing specific articles published by Wolfe that allegedly defamed him.
On June 11, 2024, the Circuit Court of Madison County, Mississippi, ruled in favor of Bryant. Its order compels Wolfe and Ganucheau to disclose documents identifying their sources. The court justified its decision by citing the absence of a recognized First Amendment reporter's privilege in Mississippi's appellate courts and the relevance of confidential information to Bryant's defamation claims.
Both Wolfe and Ganucheau believe that complying with the court's order would violate journalistic principles and erode public trust in investigative reporting. The journalists have appealed the decision to the Mississippi Supreme Court.
“How can I make promises to sources that I’m going to keep them confidential if this is possible?” Wolfe told NBC News, referring to the court order.
Ganucheau explained their decision to appeal further in a New York Times op-ed, “Breaching the confidentiality of sources violates one of the most sacred trusts — and breaks one of the most vital tools — in investigative journalism… No serious news organization would agree to this demand.”
In a similar striking case of judicial overreach that harms press freedom, in February 2024, journalist Catherine Herridge faced contempt charges for refusing to disclose sources related to a 2017 Fox News investigation. The former CBS reporter has appealed the decision. Legal penalties against Herridge are pending the outcome of her appeal.
In response to both cases, Women Press Freedom reiterates its call for the government to urgently enact the PRESS Act. This federal shield law is designed to safeguard journalists' communications records from government interference, with limited exceptions for cases involving national security.
Despite bipartisan support and approval from the House, the PRESS Act remains stalled in the Senate. In May 2024, Women Press Freedom, alongside the Freedom of the Press Foundation and other advocates, called on Senator Dick Durbin to urgently advance the legislation through the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Women Press Freedom firmly supports Wolfe and her colleagues and urges the Mississippi Supreme Court to overturn the unjust decision of the lower court. The absence of a shield law in Mississippi leaves its journalists vulnerable to these legal actions that impede their ability to report on matters of public interest without fear of reprisal. The federal PRESS Act would address this legal gap, the Senate must do all within its power to pass this important legislation that will strengthen protections for investigative journalism nationwide and deter powerful figures from using the courts to target critical journalists.
Women Press Freedom stands in solidarity with photojournalist Fedorova, who was among three journalists arrested and charged with disorderly conduct during a protest in front of the Israeli Consulate on the second day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Independent journalist Alissa Azar was found guilty of riot and second-degree disorderly conduct in connection with a 2021 riot in an Oregon City park. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on a third charge related to her alleged use of mace
White House reporter Jennifer Jacobs, dismissed by Bloomberg News following controversy over breaking embargo on prisoner swap.
WPF is delighted that Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva has been released from prison in Russia and is finally, after ten grueling months, able to return home to family in Prague.
In a stark affront to press freedom, a Russian court has convicted American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva in a secret trial, sentencing her to six and a half years in prison.
This termination is deeply concerning, especially given the Wall Street Journal's historic awareness of the significance of press freedom, underscored by the cases of their own journalists, Daniel Pearl and Evan Gershkovich.
Women Press Freedom is deeply alarmed by the recent revelations of extensive surveillance and harassment conducted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) against journalist Cerise Castle.
The recent $235,000 settlement awarded to former Marion County Record reporter Deb Gruver represents a significant recognition of the injustices she endured during the unlawful raid on the newspaper’s office and her home.
The International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) has decided to revoke the 2024 Courage in Journalism Award from freelance Palestinian journalist Maha Hussaini.
WPF expresses our deepest solidarity with Linda Tirado, a courageous photojournalist who was gravely injured by Minneapolis police while covering the George Floyd protests in 2020.
WPF expresses solidarity with journalists, including Laura Guido from The Idaho Press, who were arbitrarily denied access to cover the biennial Idaho Republican State Convention.
Olivia Reingold, a reporter for The Free Press, faced intimidation tactics from protesters who labeled her a "Zionist."
A Mississippi court has issued a controversial mandate requiring journalist Anna Wolfe and her colleagues at Mississippi Today to reveal their confidential sources in a defamation case by former Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant.
WPF commends court's ruling in support of Amy Silverman, who faced obstruction from the Department of Economic Security in accessing records related to vulnerable adults.
WPF announces that we have joined the Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) and 122 other organizations and individuals in a unified call to Senator Dick Durbin to advance the PRESS Act.
WPF applauds the recent settlement in a groundbreaking lawsuit brought by investigative journalist Brittany Hailer against Allegheny County Jail.
WPF stands in unwavering solidarity with the Media Matters for America (MMFA) team affected by recent layoffs, as the media watchdog attributes legal pressures, including a lawsuit from Elon Musk, as a contributing factor in the decision to let go of a dozen of its employees.
WPF is gravely concerned by the escalating arrests, assaults, detentions, and obstructions faced by predominantly student journalists covering protests on campuses across the United States.
WPF stands in full solidarity with the journalists and contributors of Knock LA in their pursuit of editorial independence and fair treatment.
WPF stands in support of Sandra Fish, an experienced political journalist with the Colorado Sun, who was ejected from the state Republican party assembly by the party chairman for ‘being biased.’
Although state agencies are not admitting wrongdoing, WPF celebrates the recent $1.2 million settlement reached by journalists Carolyn Cole and Molly Hennessy-Fiske with the Minnesota State Patrol as a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle for press freedom and journalist safety in the United States.
WPF vehemently condemns the libel lawsuit filed against Laura Belin, editor of Bleeding Heartland, and contributor Marie Gleason.
WPF condemns the Russian government's recent imposition of personal sanctions on more than 200 American citizens, including government employees, academics, and notably, journalists — citing what it perceives as unjustified and hostile actions by the United States government.
WPF expresses deep concern over the alarming and aggressive rhetoric employed by Member of Parliament Zahid Oruc towards prominent US-based journalist Sevinj Osmanqizi and her fellow exiled colleagues from Azerbaijan.
WPF stands in full support of Amanda Moore, whose journalistic rights were blatantly infringed upon during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).
WPF voices deep concern about the ongoing significant layoffs in the 2024 journalism job crisis, including recent significant staff cuts at NowThis and The Intercept.
Comment section of the podcaster's video about her infant son’s open heart surgery flooded with demands she speak out about the Israel-Hamas war.
WPF stands in unwavering solidarity with Phyllis Zorn, a reporter for the Marion County Record, who has filed a federal lawsuit against her hometown and several local officials.
New Hampshire Public Radio journalist Lauren Chooljian was ordered to hand over unpublished notes and transcripts in a libel case brought against the journalist by Eric Spoffard.
Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.
WPF strongly condemns the forceful expulsion of Caroline Haskins from the MindTheTech conference in New York City on March 4, 2024.