Are documentary filmmakers journalists?
FORTUNE — A federal appeals judge in New York will hear arguments today in what’s shaping up to be a key First Amendment case. Joe Berlinger, the filmmaker behind the documentary Crude, is fighting Chevron, which successfully demanded all 600 hours of Berlinger’s footage in federal court in May. Berlinger, supported by many media companies and members of the filmmaking community, hopes the appeals court will reverse the ruling and protect the footage under journalist’s privilege. For more on this case, see The Media vs. Chevron: Bring It On. Among those most notable in support of Berlinger is Robert Redford, founder of the Sundance Institute and its corresponding Sundance Film Festival and Sundance Channel. He is an outspoken advocate of independent film and environmental issues, and Fortune asked him for his take on the Berlinger case. You recently wrote an editorial piece on Huffington Post supporting Joe Berlinger in his legal fight with Chevron. Why do you find this case so import
