"CBS fought very hard on this because it believed and believes that there's a principle at stake here. The principle is that Dan Rather doesn't work for the police, and that people that speak to Dan Rather understand that he's a journalist and not a police agent"

This quote by Floyd Abrams is describing the legal battle in between CBS as well as the cops over the right of journalists to secure their sources. CBS was defending the concept that journalists must not be dealt with as authorities agents and also ought to be allowed to protect their resources. This is a crucial concept for reporters, as it permits them to do their task without fear of vengeance from the authorities. It also allows them to report on delicate topics without worry of. This quote highlights the relevance of securing the civil liberties of journalists and the need for a strong legal framework to make sure that reporters can do their task without concern of retaliation.