Chronicle reporters Lance Williams (left) and Mark Fainaru-Wada (right) are due to appear in U.S. District Court in San Francisco at 1:30 p.m. Thursday to tell Judge Jeffrey White why they shouldn’t be jailed for refusing to reveal who leaked to them confidential grand jury testimony about the use of steroids by pro athletes including Barry Bonds. In the middle of this August 2006 photo by Michael Maloney of the Chron are Chron editor Phil Bronstein and Hearst Corp. General Counsel Eve Burton. The Chron today printed an extensive story that explains the issues in the case and mentions that today the Senate Judiciary Committee is hearing testimony on a federal shield law for reporters to protect the identity of confidential sources except in cases involving national security.

Sidebars:

• Impact of steroids felt across high school sports
• Maximum term, 18 months, sought to ‘send a message’

Related stories:

• ASNE president urges judge not to jail BALCO scribes
• Chron Editorial: Government as editor