On July 6, 2005, a federal judge ordered the imprisonment of Judith Miller, a journalist for the New York Times. Miller was involved in the exposure of Valerie Plume as a CIA agent. During his interrogation, Miller invoked journalist's privilege by refusing to disclose the identity of his sources, thus fanning the flames on a hotly debated ethical issue in journalism (Pinguelo, “The Confidential Source of a Journalist... revealed?). Successful journalism tells the truth to an audience that has a right to know it. Journalists have a responsibility to tell us a fact-filled story and a more important responsibility to reveal the source of their information, right? Not necessarily. The right of journalists to keep their sources private is a long-standing debate. The ethics in this debate are unclear. On the one hand, it may be extremely important for the issue at hand that the source of the information be known, because otherwise an argument could lose credibility. On the other hand, the source has the right, as an American and an individual, to remain anonymous. Isn't it enough that he or she provided information? The case of Judith Miller has attracted public attention and is just one example of many that raise the same, constantly debated question: how far journalists can go in protecting their sources and in under what circumstances does hiding the identity of a source become unethical for either party involved? The answer to this question is obscure, but solvable. Journalists should have the right to protect the identity of a source, unless the information they have is for the greater good of the public or the situation at hand. Sometimes journalists have to withhold information in order to reveal it. Doctors, lawyers and even priests...... middle of paper ......t Media. Huffington Post, November 2012. Web. November 19, 2013. “First Amendment.” Cornell University School of Law. Legal Information Institute, nd Web. November 18, 2013. Pinguelo, Fernando M. “A Journalist's Confidential Source… Revealed? » National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. July 2007. The web. November 14, 2013.Reuters. "Katie Holmes Settles $50 Million Defamation Lawsuit Against Star Magazine Over Drug Addict Story". The Daily News, April 28, 2011. Web. November 19, 2013. “The Compendium of Journalist Privileges: An Introduction.” » Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, nd Web. November 15, 2013. Shepard, Alicia. "The Legacy of Deep Throat to Journalism". NPR Books. December 19, 2008. the web. November 14, 2013. Soghoian, Christopher. "When secrets aren't safe with journalists". Review pages. The New York Times, October 26, 2011. Web. November 17 2013.