Comments on: Feinstein and Durbin seeking to narrow shield law’s scope http://www.niemanlab.org/2009/12/feinstein-and-durbin-seeking-to-narrow-shield-laws-scope/ A collaborative effort to figure out the future of journalism. A project of Harvard University. Sun, 12 Feb 2012 17:39:00 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: fledgling’s archive, december 2009 « Makurrah's Blog http://www.niemanlab.org/2009/12/feinstein-and-durbin-seeking-to-narrow-shield-laws-scope/comment-page-1/#comment-69209 fledgling’s archive, december 2009 « Makurrah's Blog Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:43:39 +0000 http://www.niemanlab.org/?p=11301#comment-69209 [...] ground floor of big, social changes. There’s a reason why people have been frustrated with the endless congressional debates over the journalism shield law, and with the FTC hearingson journalism — we’re frustrated because, as far as we’re concerned [...] [...] ground floor of big, social changes. There’s a reason why people have been frustrated with the endless congressional debates over the journalism shield law, and with the FTC hearingson journalism — we’re frustrated because, as far as we’re concerned [...]

]]> By: SoCalGal http://www.niemanlab.org/2009/12/feinstein-and-durbin-seeking-to-narrow-shield-laws-scope/comment-page-1/#comment-67952 SoCalGal Tue, 05 Jan 2010 21:09:26 +0000 http://www.niemanlab.org/?p=11301#comment-67952 "Citizen journalists," my ass. It's time to professionalize journalism. If you want to be considered a journalist and gain First Amendment protection reasonably afforded a journalist, get some training that means something. Earn it and don't give me that Thomas Paine crap. Journalism as a profession is going down the toilet at an accelerating speed. In fact, it's not even a profession, it's a J-O-B. If you haven't graduated from an accredited university with a degree in journalism with at least one course in ethics and media law, by what standard, if any, are you even calling yourself a journalist? Is Diane Dimond a journalist? Hell, no, but she calls herself one. As far as shielding bloggers, screw that. No one even knows who they are. Journalism is in Wild West mode and needs regulating. If it doesn't regulate itself, I see the time when the government will have to step in and regulate it in some way, thereby doing damage to the First Amendment. However, that amendment says that "Congress" shall pass no laws abridging press freedom; the President or the Supreme Court could certainly do something. I'm glad I saw this article. I'm going to write to my senator, Diane Feinstein, and urge her to stick to her guns. Not everyone is a "journalist" just because they, or even their employer, calls themselves a journalist. Poor Walter Cronkite and other giants of real journalism; they're spinning in their graves. “Citizen journalists,” my ass. It’s time to professionalize journalism. If you want to be considered a journalist and gain First Amendment protection reasonably afforded a journalist, get some training that means something. Earn it and don’t give me that Thomas Paine crap. Journalism as a profession is going down the toilet at an accelerating speed. In fact, it’s not even a profession, it’s a J-O-B. If you haven’t graduated from an accredited university with a degree in journalism with at least one course in ethics and media law, by what standard, if any, are you even calling yourself a journalist? Is Diane Dimond a journalist? Hell, no, but she calls herself one. As far as shielding bloggers, screw that. No one even knows who they are. Journalism is in Wild West mode and needs regulating. If it doesn’t regulate itself, I see the time when the government will have to step in and regulate it in some way, thereby doing damage to the First Amendment. However, that amendment says that “Congress” shall pass no laws abridging press freedom; the President or the Supreme Court could certainly do something. I’m glad I saw this article. I’m going to write to my senator, Diane Feinstein, and urge her to stick to her guns. Not everyone is a “journalist” just because they, or even their employer, calls themselves a journalist. Poor Walter Cronkite and other giants of real journalism; they’re spinning in their graves.

]]> By: Andrew Graham » Blog Archive » Proposed Shield Law Seeks To Protect Some Journalists, Not All Journalism. http://www.niemanlab.org/2009/12/feinstein-and-durbin-seeking-to-narrow-shield-laws-scope/comment-page-1/#comment-67111 Andrew Graham » Blog Archive » Proposed Shield Law Seeks To Protect Some Journalists, Not All Journalism. Sat, 02 Jan 2010 08:02:09 +0000 http://www.niemanlab.org/?p=11301#comment-67111 [...] as the Nieman Journalism Lab reports, newspaper-industry trade groups want bloggers to be among the protected as [...] [...] as the Nieman Journalism Lab reports, newspaper-industry trade groups want bloggers to be among the protected as [...]

]]> By: What the US Media Shield Bill Means for Bloggers & Citizen Journalists http://www.niemanlab.org/2009/12/feinstein-and-durbin-seeking-to-narrow-shield-laws-scope/comment-page-1/#comment-65141 What the US Media Shield Bill Means for Bloggers & Citizen Journalists Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:22:06 +0000 http://www.niemanlab.org/?p=11301#comment-65141 [...] The bill did, however, previously only include coverage for “salaried employee[s]” and “independent contractors” working for established news media organizations, which would mean that (most) bloggers and citizen journalists would not be recognized as journalists under the law. There are a few legislators who would still like to limit the definition. [...] [...] The bill did, however, previously only include coverage for “salaried employee[s]” and “independent contractors” working for established news media organizations, which would mean that (most) bloggers and citizen journalists would not be recognized as journalists under the law. There are a few legislators who would still like to limit the definition. [...]

]]> By: OneRush.com Entertainment News » Blog Archive » What the US Media Shield Bill Means for Bloggers & Citizen Journalists http://www.niemanlab.org/2009/12/feinstein-and-durbin-seeking-to-narrow-shield-laws-scope/comment-page-1/#comment-64753 OneRush.com Entertainment News » Blog Archive » What the US Media Shield Bill Means for Bloggers & Citizen Journalists Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:25:54 +0000 http://www.niemanlab.org/?p=11301#comment-64753 [...] The bill did, however, previously only include coverage for “salaried employee[s]” and “independent contractors” working for established news media organizations, which would mean that (most) bloggers and citizen journalists would not be recognized as journalists under the law. There are a few legislators who would still like to limit the definition. [...] [...] The bill did, however, previously only include coverage for “salaried employee[s]” and “independent contractors” working for established news media organizations, which would mean that (most) bloggers and citizen journalists would not be recognized as journalists under the law. There are a few legislators who would still like to limit the definition. [...]

]]> By: What the US Media Shield Bill Means for Bloggers & Citizen Journalists | Wordpress Marketing http://www.niemanlab.org/2009/12/feinstein-and-durbin-seeking-to-narrow-shield-laws-scope/comment-page-1/#comment-64584 What the US Media Shield Bill Means for Bloggers & Citizen Journalists | Wordpress Marketing Sat, 19 Dec 2009 22:29:04 +0000 http://www.niemanlab.org/?p=11301#comment-64584 [...] The bill did, however, previously only include coverage for “salaried employee[s]” and “independent contractors” working for established news media organizations, which would mean that (most) bloggers and citizen journalists would not be recognized as journalists under the law. There are a few legislators who would still like to limit the definition. [...] [...] The bill did, however, previously only include coverage for “salaried employee[s]” and “independent contractors” working for established news media organizations, which would mean that (most) bloggers and citizen journalists would not be recognized as journalists under the law. There are a few legislators who would still like to limit the definition. [...]

]]> By: What the US Media Shield Bill Means for Bloggers & Citizen Journalists | TwitTrix http://www.niemanlab.org/2009/12/feinstein-and-durbin-seeking-to-narrow-shield-laws-scope/comment-page-1/#comment-64381 What the US Media Shield Bill Means for Bloggers & Citizen Journalists | TwitTrix Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:06:29 +0000 http://www.niemanlab.org/?p=11301#comment-64381 [...] The bill did, however, previously only include coverage for “salaried employee[s]” and “independent contractors” working for established news media organizations, which would mean that (most) bloggers and citizen journalists would not be recognized as journalists under the law. There are a few legislators who would still like to limit the definition. [...] [...] The bill did, however, previously only include coverage for “salaried employee[s]” and “independent contractors” working for established news media organizations, which would mean that (most) bloggers and citizen journalists would not be recognized as journalists under the law. There are a few legislators who would still like to limit the definition. [...]

]]> By: What the US Media Shield Bill Means for Bloggers and Citizen Journalists http://www.niemanlab.org/2009/12/feinstein-and-durbin-seeking-to-narrow-shield-laws-scope/comment-page-1/#comment-64340 What the US Media Shield Bill Means for Bloggers and Citizen Journalists Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:29:36 +0000 http://www.niemanlab.org/?p=11301#comment-64340 [...] The bill did, however, previously only include coverage for “salaried employee[s]” and “independent contractors” working for established news media organizations, which would mean that (most) bloggers and citizen journalists would not be recognized as journalists under the law. There are a few legislators who would still like to limit the definition. [...] [...] The bill did, however, previously only include coverage for “salaried employee[s]” and “independent contractors” working for established news media organizations, which would mean that (most) bloggers and citizen journalists would not be recognized as journalists under the law. There are a few legislators who would still like to limit the definition. [...]

]]> By: NewzBeta – The Freelancer Debate http://www.niemanlab.org/2009/12/feinstein-and-durbin-seeking-to-narrow-shield-laws-scope/comment-page-1/#comment-62517 NewzBeta – The Freelancer Debate Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:20:14 +0000 http://www.niemanlab.org/?p=11301#comment-62517 [...] define “journalist” by the action of journalists. Reporting, notes, interviews, etc. The Nieman Journalism Lab does a thorough job of covering this story, [...] [...] define “journalist” by the action of journalists. Reporting, notes, interviews, etc. The Nieman Journalism Lab does a thorough job of covering this story, [...]

]]> By: The Finestein/Durbin Agenda « To Those About To Read, We Salute You http://www.niemanlab.org/2009/12/feinstein-and-durbin-seeking-to-narrow-shield-laws-scope/comment-page-1/#comment-61134 The Finestein/Durbin Agenda « To Those About To Read, We Salute You Sat, 05 Dec 2009 04:02:33 +0000 http://www.niemanlab.org/?p=11301#comment-61134 [...] question, the goal of the Fineswine/”Weak” Dick Durbin amendment is to to control individual American’s access to information in, to , from, and through the [...] [...] question, the goal of the Fineswine/”Weak” Dick Durbin amendment is to to control individual American’s access to information in, to , from, and through the [...]

]]> By: Victor Livingston http://www.niemanlab.org/2009/12/feinstein-and-durbin-seeking-to-narrow-shield-laws-scope/comment-page-1/#comment-61004 Victor Livingston Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:18:35 +0000 http://www.niemanlab.org/?p=11301#comment-61004 This "narrowing" is patently and blatantly unconstitutional. By this definition, Thomas Paine would be excluded from the ranks of journalism. Once government assumes the power to decide who is a journalist and who is not, freedom of the press dies in America. And what does financial remuneration have to do with it? This is a bill that would have government "license" journalists. The courts already have ruled on this question. Makes me wonder what Feinstein, whose spouse is a defense contractor, seeks to hide. Maybe something like the subject of my recent journalism? For your consideration: OBAMA WRONG AT WEST POINT: U.S. DOES TORTURE -- ITS OWN CITIZENS • Regional Homeland Security- administered "fusion centers" use a nationwide microwave/laser radiation "directed energy" weapons system, employing cell towers and satellites, to silently, invisibly torture, impair, slow-kill unconstitutionally "targeted" Americans and their families -- an American genocide hiding in plain sight. For the rest of the story: http://nowpublic.com/world/obama-wrong-west-point-u-s-does-torture-its-own-citizens http://nowpublic.com/world/gestapo-usa-govt-funded-vigilante-network-terrorizes-america OR (if link is corrupted): http://NowPublic.com/scrivener re: "GESTAPO USA" This “narrowing” is patently and blatantly unconstitutional. By this definition, Thomas Paine would be excluded from the ranks of journalism. Once government assumes the power to decide who is a journalist and who is not, freedom of the press dies in America. And what does financial remuneration have to do with it? This is a bill that would have government “license” journalists. The courts already have ruled on this question. Makes me wonder what Feinstein, whose spouse is a defense contractor, seeks to hide. Maybe something like the subject of my recent journalism? For your consideration:

OBAMA WRONG AT WEST POINT: U.S. DOES TORTURE — ITS OWN CITIZENS

• Regional Homeland Security- administered “fusion centers” use a nationwide microwave/laser radiation “directed energy” weapons system, employing cell towers and satellites, to silently, invisibly torture, impair, slow-kill unconstitutionally “targeted” Americans and their families — an American genocide hiding in plain sight.

For the rest of the story:

http://nowpublic.com/world/obama-wrong-west-point-u-s-does-torture-its-own-citizens
http://nowpublic.com/world/gestapo-usa-govt-funded-vigilante-network-terrorizes-america
OR (if link is corrupted): http://NowPublic.com/scrivener re: “GESTAPO USA”

]]> By: Proposed Shield Law Seeks To Protect Some Journalists, Not All Journalism. « http://www.niemanlab.org/2009/12/feinstein-and-durbin-seeking-to-narrow-shield-laws-scope/comment-page-1/#comment-60672 Proposed Shield Law Seeks To Protect Some Journalists, Not All Journalism. « Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:23:01 +0000 http://www.niemanlab.org/?p=11301#comment-60672 [...] as the Nieman Journalism Lab reports, newspaper-industry trade groups want bloggers to be among the protected as [...] [...] as the Nieman Journalism Lab reports, newspaper-industry trade groups want bloggers to be among the protected as [...]

]]> By: Zachary M. Seward http://www.niemanlab.org/2009/12/feinstein-and-durbin-seeking-to-narrow-shield-laws-scope/comment-page-1/#comment-60622 Zachary M. Seward Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:13:45 +0000 http://www.niemanlab.org/?p=11301#comment-60622 Yeah, "periodical" may cover the St. Louis Beacon and other online-only news sites, but would it kill them to mention the Internet in the bill? And an update: Today's meeting ended without a vote on the Feinstein/Durbin amendment or the bill itself. Columbia Journalism Review <a href="http://www.cjr.org/the_kicker/index.php#22680" rel="nofollow">had good coverage</a>. Senators Kyl and Sessions, who oppose the shield law, attempted to drown it with 25 amendments that still have to be considered. Until next time. —Zach Yeah, “periodical” may cover the St. Louis Beacon and other online-only news sites, but would it kill them to mention the Internet in the bill?

And an update: Today’s meeting ended without a vote on the Feinstein/Durbin amendment or the bill itself. Columbia Journalism Review had good coverage. Senators Kyl and Sessions, who oppose the shield law, attempted to drown it with 25 amendments that still have to be considered. Until next time. —Zach

]]> By: Dale Singer http://www.niemanlab.org/2009/12/feinstein-and-durbin-seeking-to-narrow-shield-laws-scope/comment-page-1/#comment-60606 Dale Singer Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:15:17 +0000 http://www.niemanlab.org/?p=11301#comment-60606 Leaving aside the question of amateurs, what about professionals who work for the new breed of nonprofit, online-only sites like where I am, the St. Louis Beacon? With decades of experience each, no one can accuse me and my colleagues of not being veteran journalists. How can a law like this not cover us? Leaving aside the question of amateurs, what about professionals who work for the new breed of nonprofit, online-only sites like where I am, the St. Louis Beacon? With decades of experience each, no one can accuse me and my colleagues of not being veteran journalists. How can a law like this not cover us?

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