Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Congress Grants Bloggers Journalistic Rights (Free Flow of Information Act--Protected Sources)
Womnibus Blog ^ | 8/9/2007

Posted on 08/10/2007 6:12:48 AM PDT by The Spirit Of Allegiance

In a move that diminishes the legal distinctions between bloggers and journalists, on Aug. 1 a congressional panel voted to protect journalists from having to reveal their confidential sources -- and specifically included professional bloggers in the measure.

While casual and hobby bloggers will not benefit from the newly revised Free Flow of Information Act, those that earn either all or part of their income from blogs will be able to enjoy the same protections as their journalist counterparts. Bloggers, many of whom consider themselves journalists whether or not they're officially recognized as such, feel that they should be entitled to the same rights and protections as reporters and applauded the measure as a step in the right direction.


TOPICS: Front Page News
KEYWORDS: 110th; blogging; journalism; marines; newmedia; shieldlaws
RELATED:

Journalism Topic Search (by TITLE):
DOJ:Journalists Can Be Prosecuted for Publishing Classified Information
House Judiciary panel OKs journalists' shield measure



Blogging Topic Search (by TITLE):
New York Times Blogger Solicits Terrorism-Attack Ideas
Blogger fest a magnet for liberal politicos [FR's Kristinn quoted]
1 posted on 08/10/2007 6:12:53 AM PDT by The Spirit Of Allegiance
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: The Spirit Of Allegiance; Jim Robinson; Jeff Head; All

ping


2 posted on 08/10/2007 6:18:11 AM PDT by The Spirit Of Allegiance (Public Employees: Honor Your Oaths! Defend the Constitution from Enemies--Foreign and Domestic!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: The Spirit Of Allegiance
protect journalists from having to reveal their confidential sources

Argh! Leakers of CLASSIFIED intelligence have to be exposed.

3 posted on 08/10/2007 6:18:23 AM PDT by SolidWood
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: The Spirit Of Allegiance

Hillary sleeps with John Kerry.

Not revealing my source on this. I’m protected by Congress.


4 posted on 08/10/2007 7:04:52 AM PDT by agere_contra
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: The Spirit Of Allegiance

“...or part of their income from blogs will be able to enjoy the same protections as their journalist counterparts.”

Print out two copies of your blog. Sell one to your mother and the other to your pet store as birdcage liner.

And bingo! You’re a protected, professional, money-making journalist.

Be sure to declare your blog business on your schedule C to the IRS to make it official. And don’t forget to deduct mileage running back and forth to the pet store. Plus you can paint your home office and write that off.

Is America a great country or what?


5 posted on 08/10/2007 7:07:48 AM PDT by sergeantdave
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sergeantdave

“Is America a great country or what?”

Yes, it is. You have outlined a strategy. Congress has given us this tool.

Unfortunately, not having to reveal sources helps the liars more than it helps truthful people. As the truth is on our side, this will tend to work against us.


6 posted on 08/10/2007 7:23:19 AM PDT by marktwain
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: The Spirit Of Allegiance

Hmmm...
It always just boils down to...$$$, doesn’t it!
Shouldn’t matter whether or not the individual makes a buck on it or not—it’s the rights of the individual that counts, not the price or lack thereof!


7 posted on 08/10/2007 8:51:13 AM PDT by gunnyg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson