The right of journalists to keep sources for their stories confidential was dealt another blow today as a Rhode Island television reporter was found guilty of contempt of court by a federal court judge for refusing to reveal a source.

Jim Taricani faces up to six months in prison after Judge Ernest Torres found him guilty for refusing to name the person who handed over a secret surveillance tape showing a public official taking a bribe.

'Today I was tried and convicted for refusing to identify the confidential source who gave me a videotape showing corruption in City Hall,' Taricini said in a statement.

The veteran journalist has been a member of the media for over 30 years and was shocked by the conviction.

'This assault on journalistic freedom exacts a high price by stifling the flow of newsworthy information,' Taricani told reporters. He then added he was convicted for 'just doing my job.'

Sentencing in the case is scheduled for December 9th. Taricani faces a maximum of six months in federal prison for the conviction. The Judge has indicated that he will take Taricani's medical condition into account during sentencing. The veteran reporter has had a heart transplant and is not in the best of health.

Earlier in the year, the same judge found Taricani guilty of civil contempt in the same matter and fined him $1,000 per day until he revealed the source. Now, criminal charges have been brought.

Federal judges have come under criticism from the media and freedom of press advocates for this and similar decisions. Reporters from The New York Times, NBC News and other places were subpoenaed by a federal judge earlier this year to reveal the name of a source who leaked the identity of a CIA officer to the media.