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NHPR Tomorrow: Blogger Rights

by: Zandra Rice Hawkins

Mon Nov 16, 2009 at 18:10:12 PM EST
An interesting segment scheduled for NHPR's The Exchange tomorrow, IMHO:
Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 - A New Challenge on the First Amendment
Free speech allows us to say what we want, but it does have its limits.  We can't, for example, yell "fire" in a crowded theater.  The media has a responsibility to print the truth and a part for everyone else to give their opinions.  A new case being heard by the New Hampshire Supreme Court brings the first amendment to 2009.  In question, whether media outlets can protect the identities of anonymous online commenters.  It's a case that with not only bring the first amendment to posting sites, blogs and citizen journalists, but also see where they fit in today's media landscape.  Today we'll look at this case and what it may mean to the future of online posting.

Follow the link for the guest line-up, program begins at 9 a.m. For background on the issue, see this piece by Josh Rogers. Tune in, call-in: 1-800-892-6477.
Zandra Rice Hawkins :: NHPR Tomorrow: Blogger Rights
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NHPR Tomorrow: Blogger Rights | 4 comments
Note that it also affects newspapers. (0.00 / 0)
As papers try to find new business models they rely on reader posts - which are sometimes drive-by personal attacks. And they don't usually have community moderation - i.e. troll ratings. The UL comments section may be more exposed here than a site like BH.

But the First Amendment should protect both sites and more. There really aren't any cases where we say, "If only the government had been able to stifle that story..."

In an NHPR story on this a little while ago, (0.00 / 0)
some of the remarks from the judges seemed very skeptical.
[ Parent ]
Seems pretty clear to me (4.00 / 3)
In question, whether media outlets can protect the identities of anonymous online commenters.

If they can protect anonymous sources, why not anonymous commenters? Because they're less polite?

I recognize the imperfection of the analogy. But every major paper, every day, has at least a dozen anonymous quotes -- usually a hack spinning for their side.


Anonymity should be protected. (0.00 / 0)
Unless, of course, the commenter says something that, by itself, is criminal, such as a threat of violence.
[ Parent ]
NHPR Tomorrow: Blogger Rights | 4 comments
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