I refer to Teresa Kok's letter on press freedom, the subject of a journalist's imprisonment on her refusal to divulge her source of information.

I have spent almost my entire life believing and championing press freedom. In fact, I believe that if there is this so elusive press freedom in this country, we would not need a body called the Anti-Corruption Agency and corruption would not be at the level it is today.

Having said that, a blanket-type approach towards press freedom is neither conducive nor tenanable.

In the American case, an undercover CIA agent by the name of Valerie Plame had her cover blown by some indiscriminate and opportunistic politicians just because her husband had derided the US president's justification of the Iraq war.

When she is risking her life for the well-being of the citizens of her country, it is a gross injustice by the administration to blow her cover just because it had an axe to grind with her husband.

We are supposed to champion the 'right' and the 'truth' in whatever form or shape they are supposed to take. I do not know Valerie personally or what her convictions are, but insofar as the subject of citing press freedom to play havoc on someone's life is concerned, it is grossly indecent and unjustifiable.

Surely, none of us would prefer to be in Valerie's shoes and face the horror of our cover being blown? By the very people whom are supposed to protect?

Under the disguise of journalism and press freedom, justice and truth should not be hijacked. Judith Miller , the New York Times reporter who was jailed, as a responsible and balanced journalist should have cooperated with the authorities and revealed her source so that the guilty can be b rought to justice.

On the face of it, it appears that she had done what she did it to rake up sensationalism and hike up her career. Any other contention by her would ring hollow and would bring into question her professional standing and judgement as a journalist.

It now appears that she should be the one penalised and not those who leaked the information. She has failed very miserably in her professional judgement. The judge was right in sending Miller to the prison for refusing to divulge her source.