Thursday, August 02, 2007
CIA, NSA SAY BLOGGERS ARE JOURNALISTS
Though surprising, it makes perfect sense that the Central Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency would weigh in on the debate about whether bloggers are journalists.
The above-linked story reveals that both agencies have changed their policies to treat bloggers as journalists. Bloggers now qualify for the same treatment usually reserved for reporters when using the Freedom of Information Act. The moves were made in response to the increasing presence of bloggers at political events.
The change demonstrates that the traditional press uses the same rights as the rest of the public, which helps squelch the myth about reporters having special laws to get information. (Though the law provides the same tools for gathering information to the press and public, the press does get laws protecting it from revealing information, such as shield laws.) More importantly, it shows how prevalent bloggers are becoming in society, whether they are considered journalists or not.
The above-linked story reveals that both agencies have changed their policies to treat bloggers as journalists. Bloggers now qualify for the same treatment usually reserved for reporters when using the Freedom of Information Act. The moves were made in response to the increasing presence of bloggers at political events.
The change demonstrates that the traditional press uses the same rights as the rest of the public, which helps squelch the myth about reporters having special laws to get information. (Though the law provides the same tools for gathering information to the press and public, the press does get laws protecting it from revealing information, such as shield laws.) More importantly, it shows how prevalent bloggers are becoming in society, whether they are considered journalists or not.
Labels: BLOGGING, MEDIA, OPEN GOV'T
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FOIA
Happy Independence Day. I can think of no better way to celebrate our independence than by thanking our forefathers for the First Amendment's freedom of speech and reminding everyone about the freedom of information.
On this day, 41 years ago, a brilliant piece of legislation was signed into law. Ending a trend of the government hiding its business from the public, the Freedom of Information Act allowed people to know more about their government, their taxes and what their elected leaders did in their name. Since then, states have followed up with their own versions. Missouri has its own Sunshine Law, and every citizen should be familiar with it and FOIA.
You'd think that with the advent of "e," information would be even easier to access. Not always true in some cases. Wired presents a wrapup of the top five wins and losses for FOIA dealing with electronic means. Sure, Wired pats itself on the back, but the story is a handy reminder of what our government thinks applies. Then again, a Wired blogger says how he really feels about the act.
On this day, 41 years ago, a brilliant piece of legislation was signed into law. Ending a trend of the government hiding its business from the public, the Freedom of Information Act allowed people to know more about their government, their taxes and what their elected leaders did in their name. Since then, states have followed up with their own versions. Missouri has its own Sunshine Law, and every citizen should be familiar with it and FOIA.
You'd think that with the advent of "e," information would be even easier to access. Not always true in some cases. Wired presents a wrapup of the top five wins and losses for FOIA dealing with electronic means. Sure, Wired pats itself on the back, but the story is a handy reminder of what our government thinks applies. Then again, a Wired blogger says how he really feels about the act.
Labels: FIRST AMENDMENT, OPEN GOV'T, politics
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