Silence on Sources

Shortly after she became editor of the University of Oregon campus newspaper in May, Annette Buchanan, 20, quoted seven anonymous students, who condoned the use of marijuana as "pleasurable." Haled before a grand jury and asked to name the students, Annette refused.

Under "shield laws" in twelve states, newsmen can refuse to reveal their sources. But Oregon puts no such priority on freedom of the press. Last week in a nonjury trial, Annette was found guilty of contempt. Though she escaped a possible six-month jail sentence, she was fined $300. Editorial writers across the U.S. leaped to her defense. "Guilty of contempt or not," said the Eugene, Ore., Register-Guard, "Miss Buchanan has performed a public service" in pointing up serious questions. "The relationship between the press and civil authority, invaluable and unquestioned in more than a century of Oregon history, has been seriously damaged--but not by Miss Buchanan."

Those were heartwarming words, but onetime Republican U.S. Senator William F. Knowland, now publisher of the Oakland (Calif.) Tribune, rushed to offer more practical aid. He wired $300 to be used to pay the fine or help finance an appeal to Oregon's highest state court.

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