FC: Society of Professional J'lists on Vanessa Leggett still in jail

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

[Let me offer my apologies for my oversight in not mentioning SPJ. What SPJ 
does is laudable, and their help on the Vanessa Leggett case is invaluable. 
--DBM]

*********       

From: "Tatum, Christine" <CTatum () tribune com>
To: "'declan () well com'" <declan () well com>
Cc: "'mrtraska () visto com'" <mrtraska () visto com>
Subject: Vanessa Leggett case
Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2001 11:18:37 -0500

Hi, Declan -

My name is Christine Tatum, and I am chairwoman of the Society of
Professional Journalists' Legal Defense Fund.

Thanks very, very much for drawing attention to the Vanessa Leggett case. I
was delighted to see all the information you provided -- but disappointed
that you failed to mention the Society of Professional Journalists' efforts
to help Leggett.

SPJ's Legal Defense Fund has paid half of Leggett's legal fees -- $12,500 --
and has issued a challenge to newsrooms across the nation to make up the
difference. So far, we've collected money from several individual donors and
news organizations, including the Houston Chronicle. SPJ's donation is the
single largest LDF grant ever awarded. There is no other resource like the
Legal Defense Fund in the nation. Hardly a week goes by that we don't hear
from a journalist who needs help.

We, too, have established a fund for Leggett. Donations can be sent to the
Society's headquarters. You can find more information about where to send
donations and how to help Leggett at
http://www.spj.org/news/082301_alert.htm.

Here's a brief description of SPJ, taken from its Web site: "SPJ is the
nation's largest and most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to
encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards
of ethical behavior. Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ also promotes
the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to
inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First
Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press."

Again, thanks for spreading the word about the Leggett case. This is the
most significant First Amendment case to come down the pike in years. I
salute you for staying on top of it.

Sincerely,

Christine Tatum 




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