Hello, my name is Amanda Stackhouse, and I am the responding attorney in the James Risen vs. United States case. The case 
outlines as follows:
New York Times reporter, James Risen, is the author of the book, State of War: The Secret History of the CIA and the Bush Administration (2006). One major error in the book mentions how the CIA carried out an operation intended to delay Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons program by feeding it flawed blueprints. Mr. Risen was subpoenaed by the government, demanding that he reveal his sources. Mr. Risen refused, claiming that the book is based on a variety of sources that he would protect. Mr. Risen refuses to comply with the subpoena. The key issue coming out of this case, regards journalists having the privilege to protect their sources or not. Mr.Risen now faces the risk of imprisonment.
In a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington, Risen said that his refusal to give up the name was “for the future of journalism.”
President Obama recently discussed journalism and democracy stating, “Here, in the United States of America, police should not be bullying or arresting journalists who are just trying to do their jobs and report to the American people on what they see on the ground.”
Some may argue that certain information regarding the government must be kept secret. Laws and regulations are placed in order to protect that. Journalists should not be punished for reporting “leaks” that may happen. Mr. Risen should in no way be forced to reveal the identity of his source. This goes against our freedom set up under the Constitution. The First Amendment protects several basic liberties, with the freedom of speech being one of them. Personally, I feel that Mr. Risen is being violated of his First Amendment rights. But the question remains, is James Risen within his legal rights to the First Amendment?
I look forward to keeping you posted on the proceedings of this case.
Sources:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/there-is-no-pass-for-a-free-press/2014/09/01/d6e17054-3116-11e4-a723-fa3895a25d02_story.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-administration-should-not-press-reporter-james-risen-to-reveal-a-source/2014/08/21/8dfeb868-28a3-11e4-8593-da634b334390_story.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/15/james-risen-petition-press-freedom-groups_n_5681482.html