Sifting through the Wreckage of ABC Reportage: Little Victories, Big Defeats & (and) Unbridled Media Arrogance

This Article analyzes two recent high-profile cases involving investigative journalism by ABC News. It points out journalistic victories achieved in both cases that ultimately were overshadowed by other events. The Article also critiques the arrogance on the part of some journalists who flaunt generally applicable legal principles and cloak themselves in the First Amendment and the "right-to-know" justification for their actions. The author argues that journalists must provide both courts and the public with well reasoned explanations for their news gathering tactics if they want to expand the boundaries of First Amendment protection and boost journalistic credibility in the eyes of an increasingly cynical public.