Rosato v. Superior Court

Opinion

BROWN, (G. A), P. J.

Introduction

Petitioners, Joe Rosato and William K. Patterson, reporters, George F. Gruner, managing editor, and Jim Bort, city editor, all employed by Fresno’s largest daily newspaper, The Fresno Bee,1 seek a writ of review *199to annul orders of respondent court adjudging them in contempt for refusing to answer questions put to them and committing them to jail2 until such time as the questions are answered.

The witnesses’ refusal to answer is grounded upon the provisions of Evidence Code section 1070,3 commonly referred to as the “shield law,” and upon the First…