TOP COURT BACKS SHIELD FOR PRESS RULING CALLED MAJOR MEDIA VICTORY.(Local)

Byline: Carol DeMare Staff writer

Journalists are protected under the state constitution from disclosing both confidential and non-confidential material gathered for news purposes unless those seeking such information meet a stringent test demonstrating its relevancy, the state's highest court ruled Tuesday.

The unanimous opinion by the Court of Appeals established for the first time the protection extended to the press by the state constitution - a protection that was hailed by attorneys specializing in press freedom cases as a major victory for the news media.

The seven-member court said the privilege, which is "qualified" and not absolute under both the New York …