Here's an update on an earlier blog about the Salt Lake City judge that ordered a television reporter to produce a story or go to jail.
Judge James L. Shumate 
TV Reporter Katie Baker (click on the picture for more info)
Judge James L. Shumate decided to let television reporter Katie Baker “off the hook” after she did a story on complaints about a program that’s being proposed to help the homeless. Shumate watched it and thought it fit the bill of a story that served the public interest. But Baker says she never intentionally complied with the ruling.
Shumate hauled Baker into court and hit her with “contempt of court” charges back in September for interviewing a potential juror before the trial of polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs. Apparently the judge barred reporters from doing so until after the trial. As her punishment, the judge ordered Baker to produce a public interest story or face jail time and/or fines. Baker says she didn't know about the judge's order.
The ruling caused a stir in the national journalism community, prompting letters from the Society of Professional Journalists and other organizations asking the judge to reconsider.
He did, but only because Baker did the story. But Baker says that's not why she did it. I say, all's well that ends well!
