WVU Prof Faces Contempt Cite Over Anthrax Reporting

Toni Lacy holds the Shott Chair of Journalism at West Virginia University's J-School. A former reporter for The Associated Press, she helped cover the still-unsolved anthrax attacks that killed five people and injured 17 following 9/11.

Amid that coverage, Army lab scientist Steven Hatfil was identified as a "person of interest" in the case. As AP reports, "he is suing the Justice Department, accusing the agency of violating the federal Privacy Act by giving reporters information about the FBI's investigation of him."

To support his case, Hatfil has sought information from several journalists who covered the story. Locy and a second former reporter have refused the judge's earlier order "to reveal all their sources," AP reports.

U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton now says he may hold Locy in contempt. "Walton indicated he would impose a fine until she divulged her sources, but that he would take a few more days to decide whether to postpone the penalty as she pursues an appeal," the AP article said.

""I don't like to have to hold anyone in contempt,'' AP quotes the judge as saying, adding that "when it comes to cases where a person says his reputation was destroyed because of stories published about him," Walton said "the media has to be responsible."

The Charleston Gazette hears from Locy's colleagues at WVU's Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism.