Times Reporter Subpoenaed

By Kathy Avgerinos

The New York Times and other media are reporting that a federal grand jury has subpoenaed New York Times reporter James Risen in an effort to force him to reveal the confidential sources he used to write a 2006 book on the CIA. Risen is the latest of several reporters to be targeted by the Justice Department following leaks of classified government intelligence information. In particular, the Justice Department is seeking the source used in the chapter "State of War", which claims that the CIA tried to sabotage Iran's nuclear program. Although the Times did not publish the material, the paper's spokeswoman stated that they strongly support Mr. Risen and deplore "what seems to be a growing trend of government leak investigations focusing on journalists, particularly in the national security area.”