Tuesday, May 1, 2007

Are bloggers journalists? What freedoms and protections should bloggers be afforded?

I am currently taking a class called the "Law of Public Communication." We have discussed some of the issues that have been brought about by the ever increasing use of new media. How much freedom do we, as individuals, have to post whatever we want on our blogs and how much protection are bloggers afforded in for example a libel suit?

The crux of these questions becomes, are bloggers journalists? Can some independent bloggers be journalists while others are simply posting what they think on the internet? How can bloggers be held accountable?

After discussing this is class, I decided to ask you, the professionals,...what do you think, are bloggers journalists?

24 comments:

Karen Miller Russell said...

No, because they aren't trained in things like the First Amendment and source-reporter relationships. A good example was the Edel-Mart blogging situation when bloggers posted Wal-Mart info without saying where they got it; a journalist would have a more sophisticated understanding of dealing with PR materials.

On the other hand, I like the idea of bloggers having First Amendment rights in public discussion!

Anonymous said...

No, I don't think that bloggers can be journalists. Seeing as how journalists tend to view themselves as professionals, I am sure that it would be insulting for journalists to also be cast into a category with people just because they have a computer and an internet connection. Blogging can be a useful outlet for journalists to use. However, since bloggers are given First Amendment rights and freedoms, the content of most blogs should not be taken too seriously or mistaken for fact without some other form of research. Anything can be published online by anyone, and should therefore be viewed with discretion.

Anonymous said...

soma and viagra prescriptions free viagra watermelon viagra how to get viagra viagra 6 free samples viagra 100mg free viagra samples before buying problems with viagra sample of viagra cheap viagra nz viagra uk cheap purchase buy how to buy viagra new viagra lowest price viagra viagra commercial canyon filmed

Anonymous said...

I congratulate, what excellent message.

Anonymous said...

Casino Games tyuueooru
Casino Game
Reliable Online Casinos
Get free welcome bonus when depositing for the first time! You'll get 100% free with your first deposit or up to $20.
[url=http://www.nhgaa.org/]Play Casino[/url]
In fact, there is no risk at all.
http://www.nhgaa.org/ - Casino Gambling Game
For this purpose, you may require checking out the lists of good gambling websites that are offered on various sites in the form of ratings, reviews, etc.

Anonymous said...

It is very interesting for me to read the blog. Thanx for it. I like such topics and anything connected to this matter. I definitely want to read a bit more soon.

Anonymous said...

It agree, very useful phrase

Anonymous said...

Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.kfarbair.com][img]http://www.kfarbair.com/_images/logo.png[/img][/url]

מלון [url=http://www.kfarbair.com]כפר בעיר[/url] - אינטימיות, [url=http://kfarbair.com/services.html]שקט[/url] . אנחנו מציעים שירותי אירוח מגוונים גם ישנו במקום שירות חדרים המכיל [url=http://www.kfarbair.com/eng/index.html]אחרוחות רומנטיות[/url] במחירים מפתיעים אשר יוגשו ישירות לחדרכם.

לפרטים אנא לפנות לאתר האינטרנט שלנו - [url=http://kfarbair.com]כפר בעיר[/url] [url=http://www.kfarbair.com/contact.html][img]http://www.kfarbair.com/_images/apixel.gif[/img][/url]

Anonymous said...

The information here is great. I will invite my friends here.

Thanks

Anonymous said...

Cool post you got here. I'd like to read more concerning that theme. Thnx for sharing that information.

Anonymous said...

I really like when people are expressing their opinion and thought. So I like the way you are writing

Anonymous said...

You have to express more your opinion to attract more readers, because just a video or plain text without any personal approach is not that valuable. But it is just form my point of view

Anonymous said...

Hi everyone

We do not agree with this year BRIT awards 2010 decision.

Please visit our little web survey

http://micropoll.com/t/KDqOnZBCWt

Lady Gaga can not be better than Nina Hagen

Poll supported by BRIT awards 2010 sponsor femmestyle
[url=http://www.femmestyle.ch/schoenheitschirurgie/brustvergroesserung/index.html]brustvergrößerung[/url]

Pet Shop Boys surprise lucky BRITs fan with a MasterCard Priceless Gig in their living room

Anonymous said...

Approvingly your article helped me altogether much in my college assignment. Hats incorrect to you send, choice look ahead in behalf of more related articles promptly as its sole of my choice subject-matter to read.

Anonymous said...

Not sure where to post this but I wanted to ask if anyone has heard of National Clicks?

Can someone help me find it?

Overheard some co-workers talking about it all week but didn't have time to ask so I thought I would post it here to see if someone could help me out.

Seems to be getting alot of buzz right now.

Thanks

Anonymous said...

Sorry for my bad english. Thank you so much for your good post. Your post helped me in my college assignment, If you can provide me more details please email me.

Anonymous said...

Hallo in unseren Sexcommunity.


Unser Sexcommunity gibt dir eine Alternative nacktr frauen und vieles mehr,wie Live Dates
Hier in unsrem Sexcommunity findest du nacktr frauen Heiße Live Chats
Suchst du Heiße Live Chats , dann bist du hier genau richtig.Also,stellt sich die Frage,worauf wartest du?
Blind Date geile mature ,einfach anmelden .
Du suchst jemand von Genf, vieleicht aus Hamm, vieleicht von Zürich , oder Rheinfelden, vieleicht in Oberwil? Mit Sicherheit kein Problem.!

高額バイト said...

速報!何かとお金がいるこの時期楽でなお且つ遊べてしかも高収入のバイトが遂に発表された!とことん自由に楽しく自分のペースで稼いで年末を潤して下さい

Anonymous said...

Charming web page, I had not ran into this before during my lookups! Continue the excellent work!

イクヨクルヨ said...

イククルで恋の予感っ!!今話題のイクヨクルヨだからできちゃう出会い…友達を作りたい人や恋人募集中の人などが集まる当サイトで、素敵な恋をSTARTさせませんか?

Anonymous said...

Thank you for another great article. Where else could anyone get that kind of information in such a perfect way of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I am on the look for such information.
sports betting

Anonymous said...

Hi, I do think this is a great site. I stumbledupon it ;) I am going to revisit yet again
since I bookmarked it. Money and freedom is the best way to change,
may you be rich and continue to guide others.

my webpage :: buying a Car with bad Credit
Here is my web site : buying a car with bad credit,buy a car with bad credit,how to buy a car with bad credit,buying a car,buy a car,how to buy a car

Anonymous said...

Hi! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche.
Your blog provided us beneficial information to work on.
You have done a wonderful job!

My blog post buy a car with bad credit
Also visit my homepage : buying a car with bad credit,buy a car with bad credit,how to buy a car with bad credit,buying a car,buy a car,how to buy a car