One of the points of debate in new media is whether bloggers count as journalists in the traditional sense of the word. Bloggers tend to think so, while those defending the traditional media tend to disagree.
David Eaves tells us about a legal case in Canada that may help clear up the issue: The Supreme Court of Canada: There are no journalists, only citizens. Bloggers, it seems, have a right to use the “defense of responsible communication”, meaning that if you behave like a journalist (you are reporting on an issue of public interest, and you make a reasonable effort to ascertain the truth of your facts before reporting them), then you should get the same protections as a journalist.
I am not a lawyer, so if you try it and get sued, don’t come crying to me. Still, I think this is good news for entrepreneurs who are practicing journalism in new ways and delivering it through new media. The courts are beginning to catch up with the technology.
Update: Dean Jobb has written an excellent detailed explanation of this ruling on J-Source.ca: The responsible communication defence: What’s in it for journalists?
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