Austin v. Memphis Publishing Co.

OPINION

FONES, Chief Justice.

We granted defendant’s T.R.A.P. 11 appeal to determine whether the qualified privilege against disclosure granted the news media under Tennessee’s Shield Law, T.C.A. § 24-1-208, 1 is contingent upon a finding that the information or source of information sought was obtained in the course of a confidential newsman-informant relationship.

I

Plaintiffs filed suit in Shelby County Circuit Court for the wrongful death of their son as a result of a bridge collapse in Memphis, Tennessee. In January, 1981, plaintiffs caused subpoenas duces tecum to be issued to non-party…