Journalist sent back to jail
Freelancer's appeal denied
Reginald James
Issue date: 9/21/06 Last update: 9/21/06 at 6:27 PM PST
Section: News
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It's been a hectic month for independent journalist Josh Wolf. After spending nearly a month in a federal correctional facility in Dublin, CA, Wolf was granted bail on September 1, only to be sent back to Jail on September 20. Wolf was originally imprisoned after failing to testify before a grand jury and comply with a subpoena, in addition to refusing to relinquish unedited footage of a protest he filmed in 2005.
"It feels great to be a free man again," said Wolf at a press conference following his release, "and I hope that the 9th circuit's decision to grant me bail is indicative of the court's outlook that that I should not be held in contempt for asserting my constitutional rights as a journalist before the Federal grand jury." A different group of judges granted Wolf bail, as opposed to the judge who held him in contempt.
"They've concluded that my appeal is not frivolous or simply for delay, so that's a positive sign," said Wolf, "and I have confidence that these vital rights that are, at the core, essential to the practice of journalism will eventually be recognized at the Federal level; if not through the courts than at least through congress."
Once free, Wolf also appeared on a Amy Goodman's, "Democracy Now," with one of his attorney's, as well as another journalist who was subpoenaed by the feds to reveal his sources.
Wolf's attorney, Ben Rosenfield believes the government is attempted to circumvent Wolf's constitutional rights.
"He's the victim of a general federal stepped-up campaign of harassment against activists and dissidents and, particularly in this case, against anarchist activists," said Rosenfield.
Also appearing with Wolf was Lance Williams, a SF Chronicle reporter and co-author of, Game of Shadows: Barry Bonds, BALCO and the Steroids Scandal that Rocked Professional Sports. Williams, who, with his co-author Mark Fainaru-Wada, was also subpoenaed by a grand jury, felt that the feds want journalists to act as independent agents of the government.
"It feels great to be a free man again," said Wolf at a press conference following his release, "and I hope that the 9th circuit's decision to grant me bail is indicative of the court's outlook that that I should not be held in contempt for asserting my constitutional rights as a journalist before the Federal grand jury." A different group of judges granted Wolf bail, as opposed to the judge who held him in contempt.
"They've concluded that my appeal is not frivolous or simply for delay, so that's a positive sign," said Wolf, "and I have confidence that these vital rights that are, at the core, essential to the practice of journalism will eventually be recognized at the Federal level; if not through the courts than at least through congress."
Once free, Wolf also appeared on a Amy Goodman's, "Democracy Now," with one of his attorney's, as well as another journalist who was subpoenaed by the feds to reveal his sources.
Wolf's attorney, Ben Rosenfield believes the government is attempted to circumvent Wolf's constitutional rights.
"He's the victim of a general federal stepped-up campaign of harassment against activists and dissidents and, particularly in this case, against anarchist activists," said Rosenfield.
Also appearing with Wolf was Lance Williams, a SF Chronicle reporter and co-author of, Game of Shadows: Barry Bonds, BALCO and the Steroids Scandal that Rocked Professional Sports. Williams, who, with his co-author Mark Fainaru-Wada, was also subpoenaed by a grand jury, felt that the feds want journalists to act as independent agents of the government.
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