Reality TV tries to invoke shield law in denying evidence to defense attorneys

SF Weekly
January 12, 2011
By Lauren Smiley

A reality TV show, truTV’s ‘Bait Car’, teamed with San Francisco police to bust car thieves but are now citing California shield law for journalists in refusing the turn over footage to defense attorneys. A media expert says that because of the arrangement with San Francisco, the show’s personnel are not acting as journalists so do not warrant the protection of the shield law. -db