Who wouldn’t be? Most people face the same dilemma. Even
reporters argue about whether someone is a reporter or a writer.
An editor once said I would rather have one good reporter
instead of five outstanding writers. Hemingway was a crappy journalist. But he
was a writer with real style. One of the best.
 |
| Crowe as a journalist in the film State of Siege |
But this is Congress, the great American and global
legislative body that literally makes decisions that run the world.
But even Congress, (technically, the Senate Judiciary
Committee) before they departed for their summer recess, couldn’t decide on the
definition of a journalist.
The new legislation,
presented by Sens. Chuck Schumer and Lindsey Graham, would protect the media
from revealing information and sources during news gathering and require courts
to 'apply a balancing test before compelling disclosure' from journalists, among
other measures, according to a Politico article.
 |
| What a rush |
Language in the bill defining a journalist as someone who
has the “primary intent to investigate events and procure material” has
Senators gasping and grasping.
Even an elite group of reporters – or a group that considers
itself elite because they cover Congress and the White House – the Standing
Committee of Correspondents gave their five cents, which is about all it worth.
(and that doesn’t include inflation).
This group of professionals, which issues congressional
press passes, requires that reporters be full time and paid in order to receive
passes.
This group is headed by Big Media – McClatchy, Wall Street
Journal, Congressional Quarterly, Bloomberg News.
Of course, they want to protect their turf from any insane,
radical and sarcastic blogger, wanna be reporter/journalist and First Amendment
fighter.
They, of course, want to be the messengers; especially in
today’s environment, they also want to be the expert.
Sen. Charles
Schumer also sided against WikiLeaks, but said there should be greater scope
for bloggers, the article said.
"The world has changed…But there are people who write
and do real journalism, in different ways than we’re used to. They should not
be excluded from this bill."
The Politico article referred to a link to the full report
by McClatchy.
Right on Chuck.
Bloggers break stories for which they are not given credit.
Granby Theater’s last
performance, The Daily Newswanger,
Friday, July 26, 2013
Owner: “No
foreclosure” for Granby Theater, Inside
Business, Monday, July 29, 2013
Owner: the curtain
isn’t falling on Granby Theater, Virginian-Pilot,
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Bloggers break stories for which they are given credit.
Port reorganization
creates storm at VIT
The
resignations, which happened at a Virginia International Terminals board
meeting earlier this week, were first reported by local blogger Phil Newswanger.
Daily Press, May 30, 2013
Journalists
are…
Cynical
Skeptical
Curious,
nosey and intrusive
Sometimes self-effacing
Sometimes elitist
Most often a pain in the ass
Marries someone who makes more money
Doesn’t always make money
Doesn’t always get a regular paycheck
Loved, hated, then loved, then hated
Sued for no reason
Sued for a good reason
Some like the camera while others shun the spotlight and lurk in primal darkness
But, all things considered, it’s a good days work
So Congress should channel their collective inner Jefferson
and Franklin.
Published by Indie News Network LLC