“Real” News Media to Be Defined by Law

A Semi-News/Semi-Satire from AzConservative ^ | 5 December 2009 | John Semmens

[GOPJ]

You’re a brave man - standing up to the bullies has worked all these years - so, we’re with you - “eff ‘em”.

[John Semmens]

The bill is real.

The quotes justifying it are made up based on the ideology of the Democrats sponsoring the legislation. That is, this is what I believe they are thinking when they proposed the bill’s language.

[John Semmens]

I’m not trying to reel anyone in. I’m mocking the left.

The bill is real. I’m merely writing down the unspoken thinking behind it.

[John Semmens]

Don’t relax too much. The essence of the story is real.

[Tanniker Smith]

That’s what we need. Independent journalists, officially sanctioned by the government.

[uncitizen]

...“It is so easy and cheap these days for just about anyone to publish whatever pops into his head on the Internet...."

Yeah. It's called FREE SPEECH!!!

[PapaBear3625]

There really is a Senate Bill 448, viewable via Thomas (Search for SB 448, thomas doesn't give permanent links). The bill codifies who is covered under journalist "shield laws" which restrict the ability of federal law enforcement to compel journalists to give up their sources and privileged information.

[PapaBear3625]

The language of the real Senate Bill 448 restricts protection to "journalists" and their employers, and defines "journalist" as

"(5) JOURNALISM- The term `journalism' means the regular gathering, preparing, collecting, photographing, 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.

Two implications: (1) "Regular" in a legal sense means

Customary; usual; with no unexpected or unusual variations; in conformity with ordinary practice.

An individual's regular course of business, for example, is the occupation in which that person is normally engaged to gain a livelihood.

Plus the use of the term "employer" would give a judge cover to conclude that only those engaged in it as a full-time paid employment would be covered as "journalists".

[ronnie raygun]

“The American people need to be protected from being misled by unauthorized sources,” Feinstein declared
Key here is UNAUTHORIZED SOURCES, meaning government is your authorized source and no other! A purge is in need and soon!

[TribalPrincess2U]

Satire or not, I still say...

I’m so tired of these dictators telling us who can fart and who can’t.

SONSABEOTCHES!

[azkathy]

You are probably correct on their thoughts.

Now I have to find an article that isn’t satire to quote on this. Nowadays, I don’t trust the MSM. I have seen their biased spin on important topics too many times.

I prefer to get my news from the Internet and places like Free Republic. (I think this is why the MSM is going to be next tor receive bailouts.) They made themselves irrelevant let the Free Market take care of the problem.