I’M IN USA TODAY TODAY, arguing against “shield laws” and other special protections for journalists.

I have to say, though, that I wrote that piece before Judge Reggie Walton’s rather draconian order against reporter Toni Locy. The requirement that she pay the fines, with no help from her employer, a legal defense fund, or anyone else, is something I haven’t seen before, and doesn’t seem quite kosher.

On the other hand, reporters usually cheer when judges act this way toward other defendants in the corporate world. And there’s a bit of unfortunate moral equivalence in this comment by Locy: “Even mafia bosses and White House aides are allowed to have legal defense funds.”

UPDATE: Surprisingly, I get support from a newspaper editor.