Some time ago, independent journalist and Video Blogger Josh Wolf was jailed for disregarding a court subpoena and refusing to turn over video footage of a San Francisco public demonstration to a federal grand jury. The footage in question was shot by Wolf in a public location, and prosecutors believe it will may identify certain individuals that are believed to have broken the law in the course of the public demonstration against the G8 Summit. The grand jury also is seeking to get Wolf to testify against specific individuals present at the demonstration.

Twenty-four year old Josh has now been incarcerated (some argue illegally or unfairly) for over 170 days in a federal prison, a record for US journalism. “Democracy Now!” has an interview with Wolf from his cell. One advocate of Wolf argues;

”this is one more example of the increasing attacks on confidentiality of sources in the United States, one more blow to investigative journalism and, eventually, to the right for American people to be informed. This is a bad signal sent to the rest of the world.”

A spokesperson for the US Attorney’s office counters;

“Wolf videotaped a public demonstration where there may have been an attempt to set a police car ablaze, and where a San Francisco Police Officer’s skull was fractured when he was hit from behind by a demonstrator. Six separate judges - one federal Magistrate Judge, two federal District Court Judges, and a panel of three 9th Circuit Judges - have now ruled that this office has issued a lawful subpoena for legitimate investigative purposes, and that the material and testimony in question should be provided to the grand jury.”

Others have argued that this case isn’t a federal matter, and that the law has overstepped it’s bounds. Regardless of your opinion of the case, it seems certain that whatever legal precedent is set here, it will surely effect journalism and videographers in the future.