Publisher opposes prosecutor's request for reporter's notes

A major magazine publisher is contesting a request from a Massachusetts prosecutor to access notes and recordings from one of its reporters. This request is related to the case of Lindsay Clancy, who faces charges for killing her three children in Duxbury in 2023. The publisher of The New Yorker argues that the prosecutor's actions represent a serious threat to press freedom. They filed a motion against the Plymouth County District Attorney's request for off-the-record materials used in an interview with Clancy's husband, Patrick. The District Attorney believes the article portrayed Clancy in a sympathetic light, potentially aiding her defense. The DA has stated that accessing the full scope of the reporter's materials is necessary to ensure the article's accuracy and fairness. A judge previously sided with the DA and issued an order to obtain the materials. However, Advance Magazine Publishing, the New Yorker’s publisher, criticized the request, claiming it allows the government to influence how the press operates. The magazine also pointed out that a law in New York protects journalists from such inquiries, but Massachusetts lacks a similar law. Press advocates suggest that this case highlights the need for stronger protections for journalists in the state. The Plymouth County DA has reaffirmed its stance, stating they support their legal actions.