COPYCENSE

"An Apple lawsuit against the operators of fan websites stirs debate on whether bloggers can claim legal protections.

"Even in a country where most citizens probably have no idea what a blog is, it’s not just an academic debate. Bloggers, some observers say, are becoming major players in everything from national politics to consumer trends. As a result, "their conflicts, motives, and agendas matter enormously," says Zephyr Teachout, who served as Internet director for the Howard Dean campaign.

"Now in California, a court will soon decide whether bloggers have the same legal protections as journalists under ‘shield‘ laws that protect reporters from revealing their sources."

Randy Dotinga. Are Bloggers Journalists? Do They Deserve Press Protections?. Christian Science Monitor. Feb. 2, 2005.

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