Shield Law Sponsor Lugar: Bloggers 'Probably Not' Considered Journos

Editor & Publisher ^ | Oct. 10, 2005 | Mark Fitzgerald

[blogblogginaway]

INDIANAPOLIS Bloggers would "probably not" be considered journalists under the proposed federal shield law, the bill's co-sponsor, U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar (R.-Ind.), told the Inter American Press Association (IAPA) Monday afternoon.

Lugar emphasized, however, that debate is not yet closed on how to define a journalists under the proposed law.

"As to who is a reporter, this will be a subject of debate as this bill goes farther along," he said in response to a question from Washington Post Deputy Managing Editor Milton Coleman. "Are bloggers journalists or some of the commercial businesses that you here would probably not consider real journalists? Probably not, but how do you determine who will be included in this bill?"

[Lexington Green]

Wonder how the government is going to define 'journalist''?

[Hegemony Cricket]

For the most part I've always liked Lugar, however, there have been a few issues I think he's been totally wrong on...

[RobFromGa]

In ten years, bloggers may be the only "journalists" left.

[Mike Darancette]

Lugar emphasized, however, that debate is not yet closed on how to define a journalists under the proposed law.

To be a recognized journalist you will have had to have gone to the right schools, written scholarly works, belong to the right organizations and churches and have worked at the most prestigious organizations of your profession.

Oh, never mind, that is the qualification for the SCOTUS.

[bvw]

Freedom becomes of necessity rebellion when it has to be taken.

[hsalaw]

"Wonder how the government is going to define 'journalist''? "

I know how I'd define it, and it wouldn't be very nice.

[shooter223]

"In ten years, bloggers may be the only "journalists" left." ..........if "journalism" means informing the public,we may be closer than you think

[onyx]

LOL!

Do we really need shield laws so that "journalists" can continue to "make news" by quoting unnamed and sometimes imaginary sources?

[stylin19a]

The bill is necessary to help the United States regain its status as an "exemplar" of press freedom, Lugar told the IAPA. "Even as we are advocating for free press (abroad)... we'd better clean up our own act," Lugar said.

scratchin my head, here...doesn't this bill do just the opposite ?

[RightWingConspirator]

Lugar was one of the idiots pushing the "Law of the Sea Treaty" (LOST) that would turn control of the oceans and all of their resources to the UN. We wouldn't even be able to deploy a Naval flotilla without UN permission under this threaty, and all underwater mineral discoveries made by US companies would belong to the UN.

What's to like about a US Senator who is pushing that $#@%&*?

[Calusa]

Lugar is too willing to give away the last remaining vestiges of Civil Rights left to the People. No protected groupsuch as the MSM need ever worry they'll held accountable. Why should they? Lugar wants to carve in stone tablets the invertebrate stranglehold that unelected regressive elites already exercise over the free flow of information. Mr. Lugar what if Journalists just obey the law? I think they'll be alright. And Freedom of Speech will take care of itself. It's time to call for term limits in the Senate! Again! I don't think any of these folks even think about getting in touch with their constituencies. Except maybe the NYT.

Sen. Lugar: TEAR DOWN THAT WALL!!

[RightWingConspirator]

The law would protect Dan Rather when he uses forged documents to smear a sitting president, but would not protect Matt Drudge when he breaks a bonifide story about a sitting president sexually harassing a subordinate.

[ichabod1]

Do we really need shield laws so that "journalists" can continue to "make news" by quoting unnamed and sometimes imaginary sources?

*Some critics* say we do...

[Old Professer]

A sponsor of a bill doesn't know who is covered under the terms of the bill; sounds about right.

No wonder we don't have laws specifically giving rights to gays.

[Jim_Curtis]

I can't quite figure this out. Do they want to give certain people immunity from being prosecuted for exposing secrets and such? The leakers will leak like crazy knowing that the reporter will never need to turn in her sources.

[Grut]

Well, this is pretty easy. 'Journalists' are professionally trained to secure entertaining, low-cost filler to go between the ads. Bloggers clearly aren't journalists.

[jdm]

Most bloggers/citizen journalists are better reporters than Dan Rather or any other big time media has-been.

[fat city]

"As to who is a reporter, this will be a subject of debate as this bill goes farther along,"

The debate will end when the subject of expense accounts comes up.

[bert]

A journalist is one who publishes a journal.