American Journalism Review, the Knight Center for Specialized Journalism and the Philip Merrill College of Journalism, hosted a conference April 2 and 3, 2006, at the University of Maryland, aimed at top newspaper editors and Washington bureau chiefs. "The End of Confidentiality? Journalists, Sources and Consequences" sought to offer practical guidance on subjects ranging from keeping interview notes to masking vulnerable sources' identities in news stories.
In his April 2 keynote speech, James C. Goodale, former vice chairman and general counsel of the New York Times, urged the press to "fight like tigers" when confronted with subpoenas to surrender confidential sources. "The privilege has become a part of our fabric. Lawyers call it part of our common law. The courts are going to recognize it, and we are ultimately going to win big [with] respect to reporter's privilege," he said.