You're confusing two different things: lawyers enjoy client-attorney privilege at every level in the US. For this to apply you must be a practicing attorney. Jo

You're confusing two different things: lawyers enjoy client-attorney privilege at every level in the US. For this to apply you must be a practicing attorney. Journalists don't enjoy similar protections because they aren't a self-regulating profession (there is no law appointing an entity to regulate journalists, as there is one to create the bar organizations).