Posted on 12/09/2004 10:18:50 PM PST by weegee
When I was linking to CBS News for my Stupefy Me report earlier today (directly below), I came across this gem of a story (FR THREAD ON THE CBS ARTICLE: Blogs: New Medium, Old Politics NEW YORK, Dec. 8, 2004). It appears that CBS News not only is striking back at the blogs and bloggers that took out Dan Rather and embarrassed their entire organization, but they are also supporting censorship of us rascally citizens.
Internet blogs are providing a new and unregulated medium for politically motivated attacks. With the same First Amendment protections as newspapers, blogs are increasingly gaining influence.(snip)
…Case precedent on political speech as it pertains to blogs does not exist. But where journalists' careers may be broken on ethics violations, bloggers are writing in the Wild West of cyberspace. There remains no code of ethics, or even an employer, to enforce any standard.
At minimum, the role of blogs in the Daschle-Thune race is a telling harbinger for 2006 and 2008. Some blogs could become new vehicles for the old political dirty tricks.
Like all media, blogs hold the potential for abuse. Experts point out that blogs' unregulated status makes them particularly attractive outlets for political attack.
(snip)
“[The question is] whether blogs are analogous to a sole person campaigning or whether they are very much a media publication, which is essentially akin to an online newspaper,” said Goldberg, who is the legal counsel to the American Society of Newspaper Editors.
(snip)
Beginning next year, the F.E.C. will institute new rules on the restricted uses of the Internet as it relates to political speech.
“I think those questions are going to have to be asked and answered,” said Lillian BeVier, a First Amendment expert at the University of Virginia. “It’s going to be an issue and it should be an issue.”
The whole story is worth a read. It details the impact of blogs on the Daschle-Thune race. Surprisingly, it does not mention the impact of blogs on Dan Rather or our liberal counterparts’ impact on the leaking of exit poll data. There is no word on whether veteran anchors can be used as a vehicles for the old political dirty tricks.
Excellent graphic, Meek!
Carolyn
Next thing you know people will be sending instant messages on their cell phones exposing the Washington Post and NY Times for making up stories. How will NPR or Chris Matthews make a living?
"Dying ain't much of a living."
Whereas one person could never read it all.
This has to frighten promulgators of a plethora of regulations which gain the weight of law unchallenged because no one knows they exist.
We (bloggers, FReepers, et.al.) are the serfs encroaching on their fiefdoms, complete with archaic lighting devices and rudimentary farm implements, and they are all scared for their jobs.
The MSM is more than willing to help them, just so they do not lose control of their one raison d'etre, namely: controlling what you and I think.
The two, media and bureaucrats, have had a cozy relationship until of late, where one creates the panic, the other the solution; sort of a co-dependant Munchausen's Syndrome.
If they weren't so Hell bent on eliminating God from the discussion, they'd be praying He forbid us from sentinent interaction. Perhaps if they spent more time praying, they would realize they are fighting a war they have already lost.
Bingo
Thanks. ForGod'sSake made the original .....
bump! bump! bump!
Well said, Joe.
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