I've been meaning to post on this for a couple days, but was reminded by today's spate of local news layoffs (AH Belo and Bizjournals) as well as a post from Allen Gwinn at Dallas.org:
As we enter the "gap period" between the faltering newspapers and the rising newsrooms of the future, there are going to be a lot of interesting -- and frightening -- first amendment tests. And a lot of them will center around who gets the protections the professional press have been afforded in our country.
One of those is playing out in Phoenix, AZ, where a blogger who muckrakes the Phoenix Police Department had his home raided; computer and files seized; and his girlfriend held prisoner by the Phoenix PD while the whole thing went down.
In statements regarding the raid, police brass dismissed the blog as "an unaccredited grassroots Web site."
Unfortunately, as Jeff Melcher pointed out last week, such sites may well be doing the heavy lifting on government coverage in many areas.
Although there are groups like the Media Bloggers Association trying to educate on legal issues, provide representation, and even libel insurance, there are unfortunate risks and disincentives to those who would cover local news without a corporate shield.
After all, there are three types of reporting that incur higher libel premiums (at least in the MBA program as I understand it):
- Pharmaceuticals
- Local government
- Real estate
The last two are local.
Comments
jtmbls Anonymous
The report about the raid by Phoenix PD is one of the scariest things I have read in a long time. Probable cause for a petty theft warrant is based on photographs of nameplates?? Doesn’t take much, does it?
I guess I need to start paying more attention to Grits to keep an eye on what’s happening in our great state. If Phoenix gets away with this...
7 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
jtmbls Anonymous
Now why is the ACLU not involved here?
7 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Jason Rice Verified
They're busy defending the aliens the sheriff buses into their tent city on a daily basis.... - not to mention the pink undies they have to wear.
They don't have time to defend a guy that can obviously afford a laptop to blog as soon as he's sprung on bail. Hmm. Need to rethink that acronym, maybe.
7 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
LancasterEditor Anonymous
The definition of journalist has already changed, those in power both in traditional newsrooms and public office (as usual) will be slow to respond.
What's being described here doesn't sound like something that should happen to anyone without just cause. Sad.
7 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
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