Australia

New York, October 13, 2005 – The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply concerned by contempt of court charges filed against two reporters for the Melbourne-based Herald Sun who refused to divulge the source for a report on government plans to cut war veteran benefits.

Gerard McManus and Michael Harvey could face jail if convicted. The chief judge of the County Court in the state of Victoria ordered them to appear before him next month, according to news reports on Thursday.