Didn't we know that already? In the latest edition of WebPro News, there is a story about how the House has decided that bloggers do not count as journalists and can therefore be forced to disclose the source of their information if something they have written on their blog is ever called into question.
As you well know, I don't consider some "journalists" to be worthy of being called journalists. At least not the fear-mongering media mouthpieces that I see anyway. And I never really thought that bloggers considered themselves to be "journalists," hell, we're alot better than that. :)
According to WebPro News, both the House and Senate agreed that journalism entails:
"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."
Unfortunately, the House chose to add the following language to their 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 this really means is that unless you are operating under a larger umbrella, you can expect to be strong-armed by the government should you say anything suspect on your blog. At least, that's what I got from it.
Share your thoughts about this topic. Everyone knows we get our best information from our bloggers, so what do you all think about this latest development?
Until next time...
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Saturday, February 28, 2009
Bloggers aren't journalists...
Saturday, September 13, 2008
What a week!
I've been extremely busy this week and although I'm certainly starting to feel it now, I'm also very motivated by what I've been doing. On Monday, I started a new job as a librarian for a local elementary school. In addition to my part-time schedule at my previous job and my writing and my promotional efforts, I'm just a wee bit tired. I haven't had time until today to put together a thought much less enter it here on the blog.
I didn't realize just what schools were up against until I was told by my principal that I have absolutely no budget for books. My first thought was, "No budget for books? How are you supposed to run any kind of library without a book budget?" After a few moments of panic, I started to think about ways that I could get what I need for the library. People are always willing to donate things for kids, so I think the logical place to start is by asking people what they can do to help me build up the library's collection. This would be easier, of course, if people weren't scraping to put together what they need for their own families to get through each day. It's a shame that our government is so focused on fighting this war and manipulating us with their political shenanigans that they can't take care of what is needed here at home.
I always enjoyed visiting the school library when I was a kid. I spent lots of time there, so I'm hoping that I can make this library a place where kids really want to be. I think that without the library, my life would have been missing a very important component. I'm motivated by the notion that what I put into this job can make a big difference to a kid who might not realize what they would miss by not reading. Books open up doors for kids and make them realize that there is more to life than what is right in front of them. Readers become productive members of society. They get it. Some of them might even take up writing. It makes me happy to think that some years down the road, one of my kids might even be the next R.L. Stine or Beverly Cleary or even James Patterson all because they had a librarian who taught them to appreciate a good book.
The challenges I am facing in this new position are welcome challenges. As a writer, I know that I will truly enjoy having yet another ongoing opportunity to encourage children to read. I'll keep you posted as to my progress with the new job.
Until next time...
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A Little Bit of Mystery: Short Mysteries to Confuse and Amuse
