NOVEMBER, 2005 NEWSLETTER

Hello members and friends of Press Women. Thirty years ago, Washington Post investigative journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein broke open the Watergate scandal that eventually led to the resignation of former President Richard M. Nixon. We have recently learned that the infamous "Deep Throat" who helped the Post reporters in their coverage of the Watergate case was Mark Felt -- formerly the number two man at the FBI -- when Felt revealed himself and allowed his story to be told in the July issue of Vanity Fair magazine. Woodward and Bernstein promised anonymity to Felt and had kept their silence for more than three decades, promising to only disclose the identity of their source upon his death. Even after the magazine hit the news stands, Woodward and Bernstein hesitated to confirm the identity until they were assured that Felt was of sound mind when he told his story.

Fast forward to current times and we've learned that journalists' anonymous sources are no longer sacred. New York Times reporter Judith Miller served nearly three months in jail, held in contempt of court because she refused to reveal a source to the grand jury investigating the leak which outed CIA operativeValerie Plame. We now know that Miller's source was I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, who on Oct. 27 resigned his position as Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff after being indicted on five counts related to that case.

And just this week, New Mexico journalists lost an appeal regarding the revelation of their sources in the Wen Ho Lee case. In his book, "The Secret Man," Bob Woodward thanked Mark Felt and countless other "secret" sources who have helped him with his coverage of Watergate and many other stories: "The Free Press cannot fulfill its vital constitutional role without these people."

Is the free press in jeopardy? Just how "safe" are journalists in New Mexico from being forced to reveal their sources?

Albuquerque Press Women will host legal and media experts at 11:45 a.m., Monday, Nov. 14 at the Sheraton Uptown for a discussion of anonymous sources and shield laws. Albuquerque attorney Jim Dines, Bob Johnson, executive director of the Foundation for Open Government, and Kate Nelson, Albuquerque Tribune managing editor will be our featured guests.

Dines represents 12 New Mexico newspapers, including the Albuquerque Journal. He has worked on several high-profile cases regarding open government and open meetings. Dines will discuss the Judith Miller case and provide the latest information on the movement to create a federal shield law. Johnson heads FOG, an educational, charitable organization dedicated to helping others understand and exercise their rights in regard to the First Amendment, New Mexico Open Meetings, public records, and more. Nelson began covering politics for The Tribune in 1989 and later served as a city-desk editor, editorial writer, gardening columnist and city columnist. She is in the Scripps Howard Hall of Fame for writing and, in 2001, was named one of New Mexico's outstanding women by the Governor's Commission on the Status of Women.

Luncheons are open to the public. For reservations, please contact Janet Ford by Nov. 9 at 720-7821 or E-Mail. Members and their first-time guests, $15; nonmembers, $21. You may select a vegetarian meal. Your reservation is our commitment to reserve your lunch--and your commitment to pay.

Mark your calendars! In December (Monday, 12th), APW will celebrate our members who are published authors. The Albuquerque Journal's David Steinberg will give us his view of the local book scene, followed by your opportunity to purchase copies of books written by Sherry Robinson, Gail Rubin, Pari Noskin Taichert, and others. Remember, books make great gifts!

Membership
APW is once again offering a special membership discount. Anyone who joins now and pays dues for the 2006 calendar year will get the remaining months of 2005 for free. That means that you will get the full benefit of membership, including the discounted luncheon rate and the ability to link from our Web site to your own for free for at least a few months. Now is a great time to recruit your colleagues to join APW!  

For those of you who are not current with your membership dues, you will be billed the nonmember luncheon rate of $21. Bring your membership up-to-date so you don’t lose out on the member discount.

The dues information:
Full membership:
National Federation of Press Women -- $51.50 (Student rate available) New Mexico Press Women -- $10  
Total -- $61.50 is paid to the National Federation of Press Women and is billed in November.  

Albuquerque Press Women -- $10 for National and State members.  
Paid separately to the local chapter. Due annually in January. Full membership entitles you to receive mailings from all three levels of the organization, attend the national convention and other national, state and local functions, enter state and national contests, and enjoy all the "perks" of full membership.  

Local Membership only Albuquerque Press Women -- $35 Local dues are due in January and are paid directly to the Albuquerque chapter. Local annual dues entitle you to the discounted member price for monthly luncheons for you and for any first-time guest you bring ($15 instead of $21), the frequent E-GRAMs that serve as our newsletter, discounts for products and functions held or sponsored by Albuquerque Press Women.

Local membership does NOT entitle you to membership in either the state or national organization and you will not appear on their mailing ists.  

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
If ever you have any ideas that might help us to better serve you, let us know. We're always open to suggestions and want to provide the best networking and resources for communications professionals. (Visit our Web site for links to e-mails.)