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December 7, 2009
Senate Moves to Protect Establishment Media
Posted by Van Helsing at December 7, 2009 7:20 AM
In light of the James O'Keefe/Hannah Giles ACORN exposés, you knew it was only a matter of time before Democrats started to put the squeeze on citizen journalism. Here it comes:
The Senate is currently considering a new press shield law sponsored by Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa. The bill would "maintain the free flow of information to the public by providing conditions for the federally compelled disclosure of information by certain persons connected with the news media." Except that Sen. Diane Feinstein, D-Cal., and Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., want to ensure that any new journalistic protections would only apply to professional journalists and not regular citizens.
Thus the New York Times and the leftist crooks running DC can continue to scratch each other's backs, while anyone who isn't a charter member of the Establishment gets the shaft. Even moonbat blogs are outraged, but at this point, Big Government seems to realize that if we were going to rebel, we'd already be doing it.
On tips from Anonymous Countermoonbat and Rod of Daytona Beach, FL.
Comments
Grahamnesty is a co-sponsor... surprise surprise.
Posted by: AmericanToTheCore at December 7, 2009 7:26 AM
Also, I'm getting sick and tired of the bullshit titles they apply to legislation. "Free Flow of Information Act of 2009".....
How can one argue that it creates a free flow if it is, by definition, regulated and limited?
This sounds reminiscent of the "Employee Free Choice Act", which in no ways benefits the employee nor does it enhance/protect choice of someone, because their choice is "freely available" and comes under scrutiny.
Posted by: AmericanToTheCore at December 7, 2009 7:31 AM
Oh, and looking at the language of the bill...
"(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."
Sounds to me like O'Keefe and Giles fit the bill for journalists.
Posted by: AmericanToTheCore at December 7, 2009 7:33 AM
This goes hand in hand with the upcoming newspaper bailout...
Posted by: Henry at December 7, 2009 8:04 AM
"The Free Flow of Information Act of 2009"
Doubleplusgood! Sounds just like something that would come out of The Ministry of Truth.
Posted by: Henry at December 7, 2009 8:09 AM
Define "Professional Journalist".
1. Got paid for the story? I am sure James and Hannah got something, meals, networking, etc.
2. Journalistic licensing? Who has the constitutional power (not that the current regime would pay heed to it) to license who/what is a journalist.
3. Peer review and/or accreditation? See number 2.
Summary. There are no licensing requirements to be a journalist for a reason, to avoid (political / religious) opinion based litmus tests for inclusion in the profession. I personally feel that some of the jokers with blogs are just nuts, but better that then some moron setting us with a one sided state ran media. 1984, USSR, Cuba, Venezuela, Iran, North Korea, China, and of course Democrat party have all had or have this type of state (or party) ran media.
Posted by: Frank W. at December 7, 2009 8:13 AM
Posted by: TED at December 7, 2009 8:39 AM
The liberal demacraps are only protecting one of their biggist supporters the NEW YORK SLIMES,WASHINGTON COMPOST,ATLANTA URINAL/CONSTIPATION,CHICAGO TRASHBIN and other left-wing rags that support the demacreeps in every election
Posted by: SPURWING PLOVER at December 7, 2009 8:49 AM
They really, really need to get some control over (eliminate?) the Moonbattery, Drudge, Michelle Malkin type blog sites. You'll undoubtedly notice that the fraud in the White House has already declared HuffPo to be a legitimate news gathering organization, so Arianna can rest easy on this one.
Posted by: Dell at December 7, 2009 8:55 AM
Have any of these people even read the constitution they took an oath to protect?
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Posted by: VikingTX at December 7, 2009 8:57 AM
Traitor specter sponsoring his last bill?
How nice. That way only good thing will be spewn about these criminals.
BYE BYE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS.
Fox bad, huffpo good.
fire good.
comeon2012
Posted by: czuch at December 7, 2009 10:15 AM
Of course they're protecting the dinosaur media. The MSM are their personal apparatchiks.
Unlike the USSR, instead of one state supported news organ, we'll have three.
Posted by: SK at December 7, 2009 12:25 PM
The good news, guys, is that eventually President Overhishead himself will eventually throw his mainstream media, the ones who (s)elected him, under that very-crowded bus.
And Chrissy Matthews and Katie et al. will no doubt thank him for doing so.
Funniest end of civiliation ever.
Posted by: Nunya at December 7, 2009 2:03 PM
