Congress Adds Bloggers To Press Protections

The US Government is recognizing the citizen blogosphere's function in the operation of the press by introducing new legislation to offer bloggers the same protections as traditional journalists.

Bloggers had already won the debate with the mainstream media as to whether they can be considered journalists – they're being dragged into court these days, and breaking major news that has to be acknowledged (Malkin versus Verizon everyone, anyone?).

The Free Flow of Information Act of 2007, if passed, will entrench the blogger's position as potentially a bona fide journalist.

(You may be reluctant to use the phrase bona fide, especially if you are proud of your educational and professional journalism credentials. While it's true, that makes you more qualified, bloggers are nonetheless merging onto your highway without turn signals, taillights, or navigation systems.)