Are student journalists protected like professionals?

Prosecutors for a 31-year-old murder case have recently tried to subpoena the grades, emails, and notes from student journalists, under the guise that they needed to determine if the students (who worked for the Medill Innocence Project) "believed they would receive better grades if witnesses they interviewed provided evidence to exonerate Mr. McKinney." Northwestern University is fighting the subpoena, stating that these demands far overreach what is customarily requested.

Likewise, professional journalists are appalled--they see the students as having the same protections as the pros, and should not be asked to reveal their notes. The debate has stirred up what it means to be a professional journalist (as far as many state laws are concerned, bloggers do not count--but what about students?) and what rights go along with that role.

David Protess, director of the Medill Innocence Project, reinforces that the student journalists should have equal rights to be separate from the government and retain independence. He vouches for their quest to find the truth, and fears the prosecutors are looking to dismantle the project.

I can't help but agree with the professionals here; the student journalists' notes should not be available for government review. Whether this falls under the same protection that journalists receive, or for some other reason, the prosecutors' request seems highly unethical. It sounds like a dicey political move instead.