LEXINGTON, S.C. (AP) - An independent online South Carolina journalist has avoided jail time for refusing to name sources who gave him information related to a legislative corruption probe.
A judge ruled Monday that he won’t hold Will Folks of fitsnews.com in contempt for rejecting demands that he reveal who gave him information and may defend himself as a journalist.
Former House Majority Leader Kenny Bingham sued the writer for defamation after Folks wrote a piece saying sources told him indictments against Bingham were imminent.
Judge William Keesley ruled he is considering Folks a member of the press for purposes of his ruling. The South Carolina Press Association supported Folks’ claim, saying the case could set a dangerous precedent for journalists to be prosecuted civilly if Folks were forced to name his sources.
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