To act or not to act. That is the question.
In the last several years, bloggers have become important contributors to our national conversation. But that contribution is being ignored in Washington, D.C. Congress is debating whether to establish a federal shield law that will protect journalists from having to disclose their sources and news gathering material. But the current version of this bill defines who qualifies as a journalist in such a way that it will exclude anyone who is not affiliated with an established media organization. That means citizen journalists and bloggers are left completely unprotected. In addition, this will be a first step down the dangerous road of creating an exclusive guild of journalists.
There are two options: either we do nothing or we act. If we do nothing, maybe the bill will disappear. Or it passes and marginalizes citizen journalists and bloggers by denying them the protections afforded to journalists who work for large media organizations. If we act, we can encourage our Congressional representatives to change the definition of journalists to include bloggers and citizen journalists within the scope of the shield law. We might also shine a brighter spotlight on the topic of citizen journalism.
So that’s the choice: do we do nothing, or do we act?
If you have doubts about whether a shield law is important, maybe you should watch this video:
January 21, 2007 at 1:00 pm
we need a new hearsay law that says the government, state federal or other, may not force an individual to name the source of hearsay statements the individual has made. put around the other way, in cyberspace it shall be a right of every citizen to speak hearsay free of government compulsion to reveal the source.
February 3, 2007 at 2:21 am
Interesting stuff there. I agree with EON, I don’t think anyone should be forced to give up sources like that.
February 8, 2007 at 12:12 am
interesting post.. i disagree with EON, some people need to be forced
April 4, 2007 at 10:27 pm
The idea that each of us can be citizen journalist is pretty revolutionary. But I can see the other side of the coin were someone can just claim to be a citizen journalist in order to circumvent the law or obstruct justice intentionally.
April 8, 2007 at 3:05 pm
I definetly agree with eon:
we need a new hearsay law that says the government, state federal or other, may not force an individual to name the source of hearsay statements the individual has made. put around the other way, in cyberspace it shall be a right of every citizen to speak hearsay free of government compulsion to reveal the source.
April 14, 2007 at 4:14 pm
I don’t feel anyone should be compelled to give up their sources and if they refuse to, the certainly should not be punished or sent to jail – that’s absolutely ridicolous. I agree with everyone else that we need a new law.
April 20, 2007 at 10:18 pm
So anyone who posts on a blog about a criminal action should be afforded the protection that has been afforded professional journalists in the past. I don’t think so. The protection should only apply to cases where there may be polical reprisals.
May 13, 2007 at 10:14 pm
I agree with Justin. Why should anyone have to give up their source if they dont want to. That is absolutely ridiculous.
bye,
faraz
author of Hoodia Guide.
May 22, 2007 at 11:33 pm
I agree with Eon at 100%, cool stuffs here
May 28, 2007 at 2:25 pm
Thats insane, good post btw .
Zob
May 29, 2007 at 5:08 am
I can’t beleive someone being force to make sources public. That completely ridiculous!
May 29, 2007 at 6:48 am
I think there should be a parameter especially for bloggers which can qualifie them as a journalist.
May 29, 2007 at 3:52 pm
I like this post… but are you planning on updating this site?
Joe Orchid
http://www.ocalanewcarquote.com
November 2, 2007 at 7:24 am
Nice reading. When new articles will come?
March 20, 2009 at 10:14 am
I also liked this post and therefore awaiting new updates.
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September 1, 2009 at 12:37 am
I love how each of us can now be a journalist in our own right, however I can see how some people might claim to be a citizen journalist in order to circumvent the law or obstruct justice.
Overall I think we should encourage our congressional representatives to alter the definition of journalists to include bloggers and citizen journalists.
November 24, 2009 at 11:47 pm
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January 18, 2010 at 7:37 pm
we do nothing. nice and simple
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November 30, 2010 at 7:41 pm
I can’t say that I completely agree, but of course I’ve never really thought of it that way before. Thanks for giving me something to think about when I’m trying to have a blank mind while trying to fall asleep tonight lol..
December 11, 2010 at 11:19 pm
this is a shocking video for me, see what happened to wikileaks creator. the shield law needs to be settle to protect civilians.
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November 23, 2011 at 11:37 pm
There cannot be a black and white or right or wrong answer for it. There needs to be some control but to what extent and in what way to make it effective to be in favor of the masses is the question.
On one hand not all can be just let loose without any answarable position to spread rumors, on the other hand people who have something importnat to inform should not have restrains for not being able to do so.
I am not saying that the approach of giving the freedom only to the so called journalists is ok but that is one of the options because someone associated with some reputable media is expected to have some ethics or duties of not bringing out something entirely without a base, which an unknown name on the internet may not have. On the other hand, many times, the so called ethics and duties may just be the part of the book and not practical world. So this all is not just so simple to be called “right” or “wrong”
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