美国法上“记者”的含义

在美国各州,记者享有在法庭上拒绝作证的权利,因此,哪些人是记者,即法律上确定"记者"的含义非常重要。美国存在联邦和州两个法律体系。在联邦法律体系中,至今不承认记者有拒证权。而在各州的法律体系中,36个州和哥伦比亚特区存在保护记者拒证权的"盾牌法"。根据立法和判例,美国法律认为所有以从事大众传播为目的的媒体记者都可以是记者,无论是出版社、报刊、广播、电视还是互联网站、博客或者其他电子媒体。个人要成为实质上的记者必须具备两个条件:一是实际参与了将要发表或者已经发表的报道的调查与采访;二是在开始收集新闻的过程中就有将报道向公众传播的明确意图。记者也不总是那些已经发表了作品的人,对于有证据证明,其调查、采访、写作的目的是为了完成作品向大众传播,那么无论他处于调查、采访、写作的哪个阶段,他都是"记者",可以享受记者拒证权。

The Meaning of Reporter in American Laws

In the USA,since reporters are accorded to the journalist's privilege,it is very important to determine who are reporters recognized by law.There is a two-tier legal system in the USA,i.e.,federal and local.In the federal jurisdiction till now reporters are still denied such a privilege.In the state jurisdictions,36 states including the District of Columbia have got so-called Shield Law to protect newsmen's privilege.According to legislation and decided cases,generally,American laws view all the people as r...