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US House of Representatives Says Bloggers Don't Count as Journalists

Approved Free Speech Area Jason Lee Miller over at WebPro News released a blog post today stating that as far as the United States House of Representatives is concerned, bloggers, freelancers, independents, and nonprofit journalists are not "true journalists." As such, they should not be protected from having to divulge their news sources if asked to by the government.

Wow. Really? Are we really here?

God. I'm still reeling from this one. The US Government - or part of it - actually putting into words its desire to deem some Americans free to speak their mind and seek the truth without fear of having to put their sources in jeopardy while all but issuing those not wearing their US Press Pass a gag order (emphasis on the "gag"). I can't really put my disgust and frustration any better than Jason did - so here's his take:

Apparently our “representatives” have a real problem with citizen journalism done for the sake of journalism and for the good of democracy, and believe protecting the “free flow of information” is only reserved for officially approved press. No bloggers, no patriotic radicals, no underground agitator pamphleteers like the ones who actually founded and fought for this country to begin with.

Hate to (once again) school our freaking government about the freaking Constitution they freaking pledge to uphold, but this is Congress making a law abridging the freedom of the press, a violation of the First Amendment. I might be more sympathetic if they missed one further down the list, BUT IT’S THE FIRST FREAKING ONE.

Image of Chuck Welch

I have a good friend, Chuck Welch, who's been in the journalism game for a long time. He's worked for newspapers in roles that I suppose our good friends in "The House" would sanction as true journalism, but he's also one heck of a crusader when it comes to telling it like ti is - and offering platforms for others to do so - via blogs. The best examples of Chuck's efforts can be found over at LakelandLocal.com and MetroI4News.com.

Be sure to check out articles by Billy Townsend and newcomer James MacMeekin (you can find Jim's Blog here) to get a feel for the freedom Chuck provides his regular contributors. You'll find no advertisements on Chuck's blogs - despite their higher than average traffic numbers and high PR rankings. The cash just isn't worth the sock he'd have to consider putting into his mouth should one of his advertisers decide to make bad choices.

Good for you, Chuck. I'm with you. And if they ask me who my sources are... I'll take my cue from C-SPAN and the lads from the Peanut Corporation of America and plead the 5th.

United States - Another reporter threatened with contempt for refusing to reveal sources (newswire.ca)
WebProNews: US confidentiality bill overlooks freelancers and blogger-journalists (blogs.journalism.co.uk)

Posted by Kevin Sandridge - Winter Haven Mortgage Broker on 03/06/2009 03:21 PM

Comments (56)

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56 Comments on US House of Representatives Says Bloggers Don't Count as Journalists

MAR

They can pooh pooh bloggers all they want. They won't stop us.

"The people shall not be deprived or abridged of their right to speak, to write, or to publish their sentiments; and the freedom of the press, one of the great bulwarks of liberty, shall be inviolable."

"No state shall violate the equal rights of conscience, or of the press."

James Madison

Yeah, Lenn! I'm with you! The Keypad is Mightier than the Phone Tap!

That sounds scaring. :-) You never know if lawmakers really understand the law. In some people's eyes, law is like a jacke, you can take it off and put it on. It is that easy. Or rather, law is just a two-edged weapon. You can use it to protect a person and you can also use the same law to punish the same person.

Kevin,

Just lovely, these so called lawmakers need to take a chill pill. First amendment is first for a reason, it's our very foundation. They can kiss my @$$ as I will write how I feel. Thank you for the post, and insight into the matter.

-Lisa

Kevin - First Amendment....well don't mess with the American people bloggers.

@Huiting - I agree. But abuse of power is intolerable in all cases. I think what we're seeing here is a classic case of lawmakers forgetting that they, and the Government at large, serve at OUR pleasure. When this happens, it's our duty to REMIND THEM!

@Lisa - Yee Haw! I'm with you as well! They can tax us, they can ignore us, but THEY CAN'T TAKE ... OUR FREEDOM!!!!

@Petra... That's right! Or else there's gonna be a flogging by blogging!

This is a hoot! The House of Representatives is really concerned about this right now with all the stuff happening in our world ??? Wow - that in and of itself is an eye opener.

http://www.PoconoLandandHomes.com

As long as a blogger is unbiased he/she can easily be described as a journalist. It's all about fact finding, and reporting un-biased information. That is a quick definition of a journalist.

Some problems with a lot of blogs though, is that there is little to no fact finding. And most blogs, are very biased.

I've been both. A paid news director of a broadcast station and a not paid blogger out in the real world. A good journalist follows the national news, applies a local application of it and covers the community happenings. He follows up later with a check back story. Bloggers are doing the same..covering real estate in this platform but also community news, putting their local town/city on the map. I think bloggers more than journalist are the folks in the trenches in the different occupations of America. A news person can do some research for a story, grab a sound bite, package it for the newscast. But the blogger works that "story" day in and day out and it is their bread and butter. They cover the story from a genuine not Hollywood reality, a home made standpoint. Not maybe as slick and packaged or spun..but the story in black and white.

Who do you think knows more about the industry that person is in..the talking head journalist that just touches on the subject for a news cast or the person with passion, conviction and experience in that story? A realtor knows first hand and can blog about what is happening in their locality and create a special unique window. A good broker is totally involved in that community..and knows it inside and out. It's his home. A journalist three states away can generalize for the county, or the region but misses the sizzle of the local steak cooking in the backyard of the blogger.

Kevin - In my opinion, journalists aren't journalists anymore. Watching CNBC & FOX News is as entertaining as watching a bad Soap Opera these days. Besides, I have no desire to be a "journalist" per se.

Well there's a couple of Representatives that don't really count as congressmen. Making statements like that is only going to galvanize the bloggers' voice. I really wish they would just focus on the economy.

I will be really interested in seeing how this new language will actually play out in a court of law when and if the issue is ever confronted.

Blogging can be real journalism, it depends on the post and the author.

Good point John Novak :) Why aren't they focusing on the economy.

Kevin - Just want to congratulate you on your featured post. Well done! Perhaps you sent a link to Chuck, Billy and Jim.

Sounds like Big Brother is trying to watch us everywhere.

and what do they know....

Tell me it a'int so Joe!!!!! I mean Kevin.

The hell with them. I / We just happen to be Real Estate Professionals who can write with the best of them.

When they start paying for our words.........then we'll think about joing their union. In the meantime, I'm like you - Blog baby Blog!!!!!!

Cheers

Let me see. President Obama's campaign and the Democratic party used the bloggers to tear apart the opposition and to "campaign for them". Now that the bloggers are chewing away at all the baleouts, etc., they feel the need to gag them. Sounds like an attempt to do away with free speech. Can you say socialism?

There is a war going on right now. This could be part of the AP Associated Press trying to put on some clamps. They recently outlawed bloggers linking to AP stories. Thats no joke. They can sue you for it now. They are trying to control content and force everyone to pay for news. A little lobbying later and force out the competition? No?

It would be nice if they would pay attention to our economy and the growing unemployment rate, and the pathetic excuse for a homeowner assistance bailout they passed that is leaving droves of families ineligible, rather than worrying about what we say or don't say. There's a picture for this I saw recently - Seems appropriate now...

The 'representatives' are not doing much "true representing" either.

Not a large enough campaign donation "bank"....it is all about money!

I agree with Lenn on Freedom of Speech but frankly "bloggers" are not held accountable for much of the stuff that is posted as far as fact, figures, accuracy or even basic grammar, so we are NOT "Journalists" Heck most of the stuff I read barely rates "typing". And, I am including myself in this bunch though I like to think I am at least word processing! I am glad to have a platform to speak my mind but would never be so arrogant to compare myself to true professional journalists (whether I agree with what is written or NOT!)!

Interesting point but I know few bloggers who have a degree in Journalism...maybe we are shade tree "journalists" I feel the same way about FSBO's at times and many "buyers" who read something on the Internet and decide they know everything about real estate!! HA HA!

First Amendment, last week or a couple of weeks ago, it was the second amendment, who are these people trying to tear up our Constitution? They need to stop before they find themselves in the UNEMPLOYMENT LINE.

That fairness act that is trying to silence talk radio because its one-sided was/is just the tip of this iceberg it seems. If people wanted to hear balanced talk radio AIR AMERICA would still be alive and well on the dial.

This all is starting to sound like.. "Listen kids, you don't know anything and WE the GOVERNMENT are going to FIX IT for you". Now thats really scarey.

Are you sure that lawyers aren't behind this? Good gawd, we'll all need one now more than ever.

Kevin...

This is an amazing amount of arrogance demonstrated by our lawmakers! Did they forget about our history, and the founding principles of this nation? Apparently so!

Pssstttt... Russell Lewis is actually a Journalist, don't let him fool you;)

Thanks everyone for your well reasoned, funny, insightful, and copious responses to my humble blog post! Having a bit of a Sally Fields moment here... sniff... !

Truthfully, my little Gold Star came a long time ago, the moment I began to make connections within this fantastic community.

@Christianne Gordon - LMAO! Really... it's over there across the floor... I'm actually looking at it! That pic is too much!

UH-OH! Jason is one of the few people here who can actually call himself a "writer"! Kevin, I'm not hijacking your blog, just responding to Sardi!

Thanks for a well thought out post!

That is just down right scary!!!

Interesting. Maybe they're concerned that their "Editor" friends in the Media won't supply half-truths to the public, and are worried about people finding out the whole truth. I agree with all the prior comments above. Many of the Bloggers are "In the Trenches" compared to Journalists and have a better understanding of what is really happening. I'm sure we all get a little tired by all the hypothetical information provided by the Media in our industry. Most "Good" Blog posts that I've read supply their supporting documentation to support their ideas; otherwise, I'd base their information as the Blogger's opinion (vs. fact). Obviously, I hope the reader of the blog understands the difference and base their opinion as such. Hopefully, they (our government officials) will worry more about the "real" issues than these non-issues. Thanks for the post, it was very enlightening.

Excellent Blog. As my Dad used to say "What a bunch of horse hockey!" I think they need to tune into the fact that we bloggers are also VOTERS!!! Some of these Reps may find themselves among the 650,000 unemployed in the US! And Christianne Gordon...AWESOME graphic for a comment on this blog...my sentiments exactly!

Power and control...and so much a part of the old paradigm of limited resources...free information is changing all that...it's unbelieveable that they would use scare tactics like that---or is it? Great post and comments.

As an author, journalist (radio, magazines) and some one who blogs, too, I can tell you that the "problem" for some is the fact that the information age has changed the job description of a journalist.

It's much harder now to put us in a certain drawer, to categorize us. The reporting of news has changed. Some for the better and some for the worse.

To just categorically say that one will only enjoy freedom of the press if one fits into the traditional definition of a journalist is simply the easy way out.

Let's try a little harder and admit that times and the way journalism is being practiced has changed and is still changing at a rapid speed.

The question on what's good, so so, or bad journalism is a whole separate issue and doesn't necessarily have much to do with the actual medium used to convey a message. At least that's my point of view.

I have a couple of problems here...

First, I'm not shocked. The buffoons that we regularly send to DC have NO idea what the Constitution is. I would bet that half of them would have trouble reading it. Broadcast news is a great example. There is NO question that if the Framers were writing the Constitution today, they would have included radio, TV and the internet in the Freedom of the Press. And "the Press" at that time was anyone that had access to a printing press. One didn't need credentials to be "the press".

Second, please note that the Constitution does not grant us these rights. The government does not grant us these rights. It is only the job of the government to protect these rights...

"Second, please note that the Constitution does not grant us these rights. The government does not grant us these rights. It is only the job of the government to protect these rights..."

Great point, Lane, and one worth noting here for sure.

The reason for this is that the "approved" press is the liberal media. Anyone with a differing opinion from the current administration and their buddies is subject to personal attack, boycotting and who knows... is persecution next?

Hi Kevin

Blogging continues to be a growing source of information and the voices of the people were the media continues to try to make the news and losing market share.

Good luck and success

Lou Ludwig

Did Russell just call for a HI-JACK?- just kidding, I'll wait till I get my orders from an unknown peer who I won't revel. be good cheryl(always looking to spread discontent-not)willis

Not surprising. Everything else coming out of Capital Hill smells of Socialistic tendencies, why not throw out freedom of speech, too?

Congrats on the feature, Kevin. Well worth it.

Good for it . its time to kick them all out and start over. Lets have a peaceful flow of information and get rid of all of them. thank you very much for this post. It is really time americans start standing up for our rights as citizens.

I don't think you're getting what this blog is all about. We are required to, if the time comes, to devulge our souce. Period.

We are real estate agent NOT journalists. Our Code of Ethics require that we have to cooperate with judicial proceedings, etc. While what ouir clients tell us is privy, there is a time that we must cooperate to higher sources.

We are real estate agents, or involved in the real estate profession. WE ARE NOT JOURNALIST. While we can "journal" in our little blog posts, does not journalists make!

Do you even fathom the difference?

This senante ruling has nothing to do with curtailing our right to blog, our free speech, or anything else written on these sites. We are just NOT given immunity from revealing who the source is.

Period.

And without being a bonofide "reporters" . . . I'm a LICENSED real estate agent, not a licensed or professional journalist -- I can quote sources, and I had better be able to divulge the source. I've got no problem with that at all. It does NOT enfringe on my First Amendment rights at all. I'm notg a journalist, I am not paid to blog, and my opinions are mine. If I say something, and tell a tale outside of school . . . I am not protected with immunity. I'm NOT A JOURNALIST!

And on the same side of that coin, I don't want a JOURNALIST to write a story about home buying, as if they know! And they do this all the time. Quoting things that are inaccurate.

Bloggers just run at the mouth, thinking their words are the end all be all . . . Journalist, I'd hate to break it to you boys and girls, have higher standards to uphold; they typically have gone to a university, have gone through the school of hard knocks, have been assigned some CRAPPY assignments just out of the gate, and have editors and chief of staffs that they must answer too. Plus having FCC, and other Federal government licensing hurdles to maintain their JOURNALIST creditals.

Hate to break your bubble bloggers, but you'[re very far removed from the likes of: Elijah Lovejoy, or Samuel L. Clemens, Nellie Bly, H. L. Mencken, Walter Winchell, Robert Capa, Kathraine Graham, Carl Berstein, Bob Woodward, Anna Quindlen, F. R. Murrow, etc.

This DOES NOT THROW the FREE SPEECH BABY out with the bath water. I merely separate the running at the mouth, know it all bloggers, as who they really are: NON-Journalists.

I can compose something on my "Garage Band" software. This does not make me a paid, professional musician subject to ASCAP, BMI, etc. licensing,

STOP FLAMING!!

Kevin,

I understand about the misconceptions that bloggers can spread, sometimes blogging before they fact check as truth....but it behooves the reader to check the facts before taking them as "god's honest truth", similar to reader beware. I think pressure from other bloggers to provide quality content, and classes like the one I took at Blogworld last September, Citizen Journalism Workshop, that emphasized quality, fact checking, and journalistic skills.

I would read a blogger almost anyday over any television station, with the exception of MAYBE Public Broadcasting. I am tired of government interfering with the rights our founding fathers gave to us.

Don't stomp on our freedom parade.

Wow you certainly got us to thinking and a lot of comments on the subject. I don't know if it is the intent to say we are protected from anyhing the governments wants. They can and will make law to suit as they go.

They would love bloggers to go away. It is to much of a unity on common ground. Uncontrolable if it gets to large. Look out!!!!! Thanks for the post.

Oh my... not another power struggle... What are they thinking ?

The government will always be behind the times. On the other hand, think of this: Without DARPA creating the Internet, we all wouldn't be blogging. Watch the "Shift Happens" video on YouTube for a wild look at how exponentially fast the world is changing.

I would think that one thing the elected politicos would want to understand is this ...

In their eyes we may not be deemed 'journalists' but we damned sure are voters. We put them IN those seats. We can take them OUT of them.

Just my take on the arrogance of elected officials.

MAR

Simply Amazing..........................Maybe we should also have our Representatives and Senators account, and be held accountable, to document and back up what they say.

Bet lot's of them would also plead the 5th.

This is really kind of scary. We are possibly really sinking to new lows.

I wonder if they paid their taxes?

Well they are wrong. News used to be done by professionals. Now, i'ts done by both professionals and citizens. The following video portrays this perfectly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN2I1pWXjXI

Hopefully they won't use the fairness doctrine on the internet next....

Looks like government is insisting that government=fact, everyone else=opinion.

scary times. say goodbye to the 1st amendment.

@Missycaulk... LMAO

PS _ The Geithner Appointment (and confirmation?) still makes me ill...

Congress can SAY whatever they want to SAY, but the constitution is the constitution and I don't know many judges that would go against the constitution. Dear Lord, what have we done in electing what (not who) is in our government. There is so much of a mess that I think America will start to see the light in the coming years. We'll see..........

Kevin,

Great that you brought this issue up here for discussion. Of course this won't slow us down one bit. Sometimes it's hard to figure out how they come up with these types of ideas on the Hill.

MAR

Sandra... there is NO "Journalist License" and the FCC can only revoke a station's broadcast license locally. They can't stop CNN or Fox or MSNBC... only WSB or WAGA or KARE, etc.

And professional, respected journalists get their credential pulled every day... for things like asking a question of the President that hasn't been pre-approved.

And there is NO government agency that "oversees" journalists... especially those in the newspaper business. The Constitution doesn't really allow that sort of thing.

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