Washblog

Reporter shield law leaves the bloggers out

Five one Seven (still the best political blog I read) points out that the new shield law in Washington State pointedly leaves us out of the loop:

The law would apply only to professional journalists.

The bill defines a member of the media as anyone who earns a substantial portion of his or her income from publishing or broadcasting. Generally, authors of occasional opinion pieces or Internet bloggers would not be covered.

Someday, blogging friends. Someday.

Here is a link to the bill itself, it passed pretty much unopposed. Jim makes me think about what the point of these kinds of laws, or even any law that protects "journalists" is. The freedom of the press goes along side the freedom of expression, both as keystones to democracy. The point is that if people feel stifled in any way from expressing, or are prevented from learning, then democracy suffers. My point, I guess, is that once we start deciding among ourselves who is a "reporter," and guaranteeing them special privileges, then we beginning weakening the point of the freedom of the press. Simply, you can take away that privilege simply by proving someone isn't really a reporter.

I'm not totally being clear on this, but a blogger that serves the same public purpose as a reporter, but who might be a student, retired or have some other job that pays the bills is cut out. Doesn't seem right to me.

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   That was just the House. Contact your Senator and request it be expanded to include the likes of us :)

Dave Gibney Pullman

by gibney on Sat Feb 17, 2007 at 01:07:13 PM PST

* 1 none 0 *


..."the term news media means...any person or entity that is in the regular business of disseminating news or information to the public by any means,
including...internet..."

http://www.leg.wa.gov/pub/billinfo/2007-08/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/1366.pdf
(p 3 of 4)

perhaps i'm an inexperienced reader, but isn't that a blogger shield?

by fake consultant on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 09:48:39 PM PST

* 2 none 0 *


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