Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Reporters - Stick with shield law

The state of Nevada has a shield law, the purpose of which is to protect reporters from revealing sources of information and from disclosing any "published or unpublished information obtained or prepared by such person in such person's professional capacity in gathering, receiving or processing information for communication."

All of which simply means reporters cannot be forced to testify in civil or criminal cases or reveal their sources. A recent Supreme Court decision regarding the shield law has caused disseminators of news to circle their wagons and prepare to protect this right.

That brings me to my first experience with the shield law.

It wasn't too long after the law was passed that a fellow journalist -- widely read ex-Sun columnist Paul Price -- and I stumbled on a story of misfeasance in high places. After all these years, I can't even recall all the details, but we were called before a sitting grand jury to answer questions regarding our information.

Price was a tough guy and used to facing adversaries. I was not so brave when I was interrogated. Attorney Ralph Denton calmed my fears and told me to follow the lead of the military: "name, rank and serial number." By that he meant that I should quote the Nevada Revised Statute for the shielding of reporters from questioning. I answered each query with a reference to the law. It was similar to taking the Fifth and somehow, although I had done nothing wrong, I felt guilty.

After some routine questioning, the assistant district attorney pointed a finger at me and asked where I got my information. I repeated the shield law, hoping Denton could keep me out of jail.

I knew there were two people in that room who were sweating more than I was. My sources for the stories I had writen were two members of that same grand jury that was interrogating me. To this day I have not revealed their names. It's a secret I'll never tell, but my own experience qualifies me to advise young reporters to stick by the shield law and hope for the best. Jail can't be too bad if a principle is involved.

Off the cuff:

We're in deep trouble if some of the characters who appear on the daytime talk shows are the norm.

People of all creeds and colors gathered to pay tribute to Isaiah Shoels, the black student who was slain at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo. Isn't it a shame that it takes tragedy to bring us together in brotherhood and love without discrimination and hatred?

Did you know that lawyers who helped Texas, Mississippi and Florida settle their lawsuits against the tobacco industry will receive $8 billion in fees? As comic Herm Albright puts it: "America -- Home of the Brave and Land of the Fee."

Young people and parents looking for role models should go to a bookstore and pick up "Gifted Hands," the story of Dr. Ben Carson, director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University Medical Center. As a black youth growing up in poverty, Carson was encouraged and prodded by his mother to follow his dreams. He did just that and became one of the foremost neurosurgeons in the world. A devoutly religious man, Carson advises: "Never get too big for God, and never keep God out of your life."

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