數位時代的“記者特權”：以美國法制之發展為論述中心

"Freedom of the Press" in the Digital Age: A Study on Reporters Privilege

劉靜怡(Ching-Yi Liu)

《新聞學研究》 98期 (2009/01) Pp. 139-192

https://doi.org/10.30386/MCR.200901_(98).0004

摘要

本文以數位時代的新聞自由議題為背景，探討網路媒體盛行下的部落客和公民記者所面臨的「記者特權」(reporter's Privilege)爭議。本文先從比較法的觀點，探索美國法制過去數十年來如何處理「記者特權」的主張所引發的爭議，以及其所累積的法律解釋與適用原則，對於數位時代的部落客和公民記者，將產生怎樣的影響。本文認為：「記者」究竟該如何定義，一直未能取得共識的眾說紛紜結果，主宰了幾十年來關於「記者特權」爭議不休的局面，此一爭議的嚴重性和解決迫切性，隨著網路時代部落客和公民記者的出現而昇高，透過採取「功能取向」(functional approach)的方式，有條件地賦予部落客和公民記者「記者特權」，方足以維護新聞自由在數位時代裡的完整面貌。

關鍵字

新聞自由 ； 記者特權 ； 新聞記者保護法 ； 公民記者 ； 部落客 ； 網際網路

並列摘要

This article explores the freedom of the press issues on reporters' privilege generated by the rise of bloggers and citizen journalists against the backdrop of the Internet age. At first this article analyzes, using a comparative law approach, the reporter's privilege doctrine developed during the last century in American legal system and then considers its applications in today's digital lives.
This article points out that the controversies surrounding the definition of ”journalist” has dominated the discourse over the reporter's privilege for several decades and has apparently become a pressing issues as the advent of the Internet gave rise to new media and unconventional way of reporting.
It further suggests that any articulation of the reporter's privilege must account for this changing nature of journalism and then proposes that all those who disseminate information to the public must be presumptively entitled to invoke the privilege's protections.
Finally, this article concludes by proposing a functional approach, a qualified privilege proposal under which the fundamental interest in preserving the value of freedom of the press and the other fundamental interest of justice and fairness will be appropriately reconciled

並列關鍵字

Freedom of the Press ； Reporter's Privilege ； Shield Law ； Citizen Journalist ； Bloggers ； Internet

參考文獻

林子儀(2002)。言論自由與新聞自由。台北:元照。

劉靜怡(2004)。新聞採訪與新聞自由：發現真實抑或侵犯權利？。國家發展研究。3(2)，117-162。

Abrams, F(1979).The press is different: Reflections on justice stewart and the autonomous press.Hofstra Law Review.7,563-625.

Alexander, L. B.(2002).Looking out for the watchdogs: A legislative proposal limiting the newsgathering privilege to journalists in the greatest need of protection for sources and information.Yale Law & Policy Review.20,97-135.

Anderson, D. A.(2002).Freedom of the press.Texas Law Review.80,429-470.