Are Bloggers Journalists? Interesting case in court in your fair city of Chicago. Should Bloggers have Reporters privileges? I think this case went before a judge today. Have you heard the results. As a well established Blogger, what is your opinion?

  • Shazam

    Looked it up. The judge ruled in the TechnoBuffalo case that the site in question was not a "news organization" and so was not afforded the rights under journalists' source shielding laws, so they had to reveal their sources. The case is being appealed so it is hardly a done deal.
    I'm not only a blogger, but I am also a lawyer, so I will give the usual attorney's response: it depends. Some bloggers and blogs do operate in much the same way as traditional journalists – e.g., Huffington Post – in that they check their sources and so on. But to be fair, most blogs are at best opinion pieces and at worst ill-informed, ignorant libel.
    There cannot be a black-and-white rule, at least not at this time. Blogger organizations that hold members up to certain rules and standards may someday be as respected as journalists, but we're not there yet.
    I certainly don't consider my blog to be journalistic in any way. It's all my opinion, which deserves only as much respect as anyone else's opinion, keeping in mind that while I am well-educated, I am not particularly well-informed.
    Finally, I can't help but correct you, since that's what I do. There is no reason for "blogger(s)" or "journalist" or "reporter" to be capitalized in your question.

  • Shazam

    smiles
    62 all-time