Blogger "Not A Journalist"?

Dec 9th, 2011
by F. Grey Parker

The citizen journalist is an increasingly accepted component of the news cycle in our world. Small groups or single individuals, often without traditional financial backing and with only the internet as a medium, have had a tremendous impact on our awareness and understanding of events.

Sometimes, these independent reporters are essential. This has been the case with the coverage of ongoing atrocities in Syria. Other examples are certainly less urgent. Some are even infuriating (think James O'Keefe). But, this all journalism.

As a blogger who has occasionally used an anonymous source or two, a recent legal decision from Oregon sends a chill down my spine. AP reports:

"A federal judge in Oregon has ruled that a Montana woman sued for defamation was not a journalist when she posted online that an Oregon lawyer acted criminally during a bankruptcy case, a decision with implications for bloggers around the country."

Journalist Beaten, Arrested & Then... Charged With A Crime

Dec 2nd, 2011

Yes, kids, this happened. In the clip below, you will see professional photo journalist Tyson Zoltan Heder thrown down, for no apparent reason, harder than the average NFL player, by the LAPD, while he was covering the "eviction" of that city's Occupation. What happens next, as he rises to his feet and begins demanding the name of the assaulting officer, is all too typical... total pile on and arrest. It gets even better, though. Mr. Heder has been charged with assault. Yup. Just look at all the assault he is "guilty" of perpetrating.