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1. Comment - Journalists' Protection Bill Passes Senate Judiciary: Are Bloggers Covered?

   (Oct 6, 2007 - 8:57 AM)

   Thanks for calling attention to this important bill, but I disagree pretty strongly with your view of it.
   
   First, Denny is exactly right; first amendment rights belong to everyone, and not just those who regularly engage in journalism. Historically, the press has repeatedly asked for special treatment, on everything from taxes to labor laws to search warrants, and the Supreme Court has repeatedly told them they have to live by the same laws the rest of us live by. When they have information that is necessary to see that justice is done (whether in a criminal case or a civil one), I think they should have to testify like the rest of us as well.
   
   Second, your analysis of this bill is seriously flawed. I suggest you take another look at the various uses of "or" and "and" in the statute. If you did, I think you would conclude that the statute is much too protective of anonymous sources, rather than not protective enough.
   
   I've written pretty extensively on the problems with this bill at the www.ReasonableMinds.org, and the primary article is at the following link:
   
   http://reasonableminds.w...-flow-of-misinformation/
   
   Again, thanks for the open discussion.