Are bloggers journalists?

Katie writes “The San Francisco Chronicle is one of many news sources reporting on the preliminary ruling of California Superior Court Judge James Kleinberg on whether or not bloggers are journalists. The case stems from the reporting of leaked information about a product under development at Apple, code-named Asteroid.”

March 6, 2005 by Libraries

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3 Responses

  1. Fang-Face says:
    March 6, 2005 at 8:15 am

    Blogger = journalist?
    I certainly think bloggers are journalists, under these conditions. Mind you, since they are not as steeped in the pitfalls of reporting, they are much more likely to cross vaguely or unmarked boundaries. There are certain protections on proprietary data, and I think even black-hearted, money-grubbing, let-the-orphans-and-widows-starve-and-freeze-to-de ath-in-the-dark corporations shouldn’t have such information revealed unless such revelations disclose clearly criminal or unethical activity.

  2. mdoneil says:
    March 6, 2005 at 9:11 am

    Nonsense
    I seldom agree with California judges but if this judge does eventually rule for Apple I will agree.

    Simply calling oneself a journalist does not a journalist make. If someone gains some knowledge through their employment or even through dumpster diving and then divulges that information without the consent of the information owner they are either breaking a confidence or a law depending on how the information was obtained. The I am a journalist retort that every blogger will use should the judge decide against Apple is simply nonsense. It will lead to employers asking “Are you a journalist?” Just like the crack dealers or whores asking “Are you a cop?” (Of course I hold crack dealers, whores, and most journalists in about the same esteem.)

    So just because you blog, and just because you may have attracted regular readers does not make a journalist. Anyone can blog, not everyone can start a newspaper, publish a magazine, or broadcast on the airwaves.

    Posting information on the Web no more makes on a journalist than working in a produce market makes one rutabaga.

  3. Anonymous Patron says:
    March 6, 2005 at 10:52 pm

    Your nonsense, is nonsense
    >If someone gains some knowledge through their employment
    Does not mean they cannot share it. They may not share it if they have agreed not to (which is a typical inclusion in non-compete contracts, etc).

    >through dumpster diving
    Is perfectly legal, and is used by cops, etc. When you throw something away, you are relinquishing ownership of it. Which is why there are secure document shredding services, on-site incinerators, etc.

    What you do not mention is going into an office and lifting information, or otherwise taking information that has not been given away.

    >Simply calling oneself a journalist does not a journalist make.
    According to the law you are correct. Doesn’t mean I agree with you. However, I don’t disagree with you either. Many people calling themselves journalists are just seeking cover.

    >”Are you a cop?”
    Which cops don’t have to answer truthfully if they are investigating you – and their evidence is still admissible in the court of law. The Supreme court has upheld deception as a legitimate ruse of police officers.

    >Anyone can blog, not everyone can start a newspaper, publish a magazine, or broadcast on the airwaves.
    That’s correct. Legal protections only accrue to the rich in our society.

    — Ender, Duke_of_URL

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