The House says bloggers do not count as journalists. A bill in Congress deals with two versions that would protect the rights of journalists from divulging their sources. This information would be confidential. The government could not force journalists to reveal whistleblowers.
In the other version of this bill, it appears that Congress has forgotten the First Amendment. This version, gives a definition that excludes bloggers, independents, nonprofit journalists and freelancers. There is a consensus between the House and Senate on what duties are within the scope of a journalist and what defines journalism:
"the regular gathering, preparing, collecting, photography, recording, writing, editing, reporting, or publishing of news or information that concerns local, national, or international events or other matters of public interest for dissemination to the public."
But only the House version, adds to that definition:
"for a substantial portion of the person's livelihood or for substantial financial gain and includes a supervisor, employer, parent, subsidiary, or affiliate of such covered person."
What does it all mean? Writer, Jason Miller explains: "If journalism is a hobby or passion you do as a public service, or if you are a freelancer without a boss, both of which easily describe a blogger, then the government reserves the right to force you to tell them who told you something, much like the government tried to do with New York Times journalist Judy Miller under the Bush Administration."
Bloggers feel, "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."
Miller further explains, "By defining who is and who is not considered press, and therefore deciding who is entitled to special protection-in this case, especially, where they base it on who does it for money and who does it for passion (hint: the latter one is more likely to dig up something that matters)-the House of Representatives are doing us all a huge disservice if they don't change that language."
There are professional bloggers who take their work seriously. Conventions and conferences are held with awards and recognition being center-stage. One example would be Blogher, which is a community for women bloggers. Its site boasts of having 18,000 blogs and nearly 40,000 members! Do you think the House is threatened by the impact sites such as this have on our decision-making? Are we being sent a message that we are only to consider blogging as a hobby because blogs are not reliable sources of information?
I would not consider myself a journalist, no matter what the definition is, but should our government take this position? I am inclined to consider Miller's hint. When I work with a passion, I dig up things that matter not only to me but to others, as well. What do you think?
Avis Ward of
GeoVi's Home for Pregnant Teens
