The assault of free speech...

...on the old-line Media: "Talk radio, cable news, and the blogosphere freed U.S. political discourse. The Left wants to rein it in again."

Please read Brian C. Anderson's article in City Journal. (Hat tip to Glenn).

"Are the hundreds of political blogs that have sprouted over the last few years—twenty-first-century versions of the Revolutionary era’s political pamphlets—“press,” and thus exempt from FEC regulations? Liberal reform groups like Democracy 21 say no. “We do not believe anyone described as a ‘blogger’ is by definition entitled to the benefit of the press exemption,” they collectively sniffed in a brief to the FEC. “While some bloggers may provide a function very similar to more classical media activities, and thus could reasonably be said to fall within the exemption, others surely do not.” The key test, the groups claimed, should be whether the blogger is performing a “legitimate press function.” But who decides what is legitimate? And what in the Constitution gives him the authority to do so?"

Answer: Yes Pew, the blogosphere is journalism and it's bloggers perform a legitimate Press function, publishing... especially when "exempt" journalists fail to perform. (i.e. Dan Rather, Eason Jordan, Howell Raines...)

Pew's test for legitimacy is "should be whether the blogger is performing a “legitimate press function.”" The primary role of any press is publishing, a freedom guaranteed by specific language in the First Amendment. Given the million plus readings this site has accumulated... even if this website had accumulated but one lonely visit... this is publishing.

Freedom isn't free: It must be won in every generation. Sometimes by taking down foreign tyrants such as the Nazis... Sometimes by exposing home-grown petty tyrants such as Pew's "Democracy 21". Sometimes by voting with your dollar.

[post edited by Damian P.]

Posted by Ran at January 12, 2006 08:03 PM | TrackBack