Court backs paper's refusal to hand over computers

A newspaper does not have to turn over two reporters' computers to the Pennsylvania attorney general, the state supreme court has ruled. The judges ruled that the government's attempt to seize the computers from the Intelligencer Journal in Lancaster was "unduly intrusive", and one opinion also noted the "potential chilling effect" a seizure would have on sources providing confidential information. The dispute arises from a probe begun last year by the attorney general into the dealings between Lancaster coroner G. Gary Kirchner and the paper. (Via Editor & PUblisher)