William Safire talks about how a release from confidentiality agreement (as in the Valerie Plame case) is an end-run around the First Amendment:

But that is no legitimate "release" at all. Such a source-burning subterfuge sneaks around the First Amendment, which ensures free speech. The potential source has been told: Sign here or get fired or, worse, become more suspect for not signing and get prosecuted. That pressure undermines the Fifth Amendment, which is against self-incrimination.

Follow link to The Runaway Prosecutor
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