"Journalism" means the gathering, preparing, collecting, photographing, recording, writing, editing, reporting, or publishing of news or information that concerns local, national, or international events or other matters of public interest for dissemination to the public.
"News organization" means any (i) newspaper or magazine issued at regular intervals and having a general circulation; (ii) recognized press association or wire service; (iii) licensed radio or television station that engages in journalism; or (iv) business that, by means of photographic or electronic media, engages in journalism and employs an editor overseeing the journalism function that follows commonly accepted journalistic practice as evidenced by (A) membership in a state-based journalism organization, including the Virginia Press Association and the Virginia Association of Broadcasters; (B) membership in a national journalism organization, including the National Press Club, the Society of Professional Journalists, and the Online News Association; (C) membership in a statewide or national wire news service, including the Capital News Service, The Associated Press, and Reuters; or (D) its continuous operation since 1994 or earlier.
"Newsperson" means any person who, for a substantial portion of his livelihood or for substantial financial gain, engages in journalism for a news organization. "Newsperson" includes any person supervising or assisting another person in engaging in journalism for a news organization.
"Protected information" means information identifying a source who provided information to a newsperson under a promise or agreement of confidentiality made by a news organization or newsperson while such news organization or newsperson was engaging in journalism.
Va. Sup. Ct. 2:508