Posted by
Catmman on Sunday, November 23, 2008 9:13:31 AM
New attack vector to silence dissent?
Maybe. They are looking at it in Washington state:
Blogger beware? State regulators are wondering whether online political activism amounts to lobbying, which could force Web-based activists to file public reports detailing their finances.
In a collision of 21st century media and 1970s political reforms, the inquiry hints at a showdown over press freedoms for bloggers, whose self-published journals can shift between news reporting, opinion writing, political organizing and campaign fundraising.
It doesn't look like this will hold water (there are too many lefties who do this as well) but just another way political speech and freedom may come under attack in the near future. Just the fact this is being looked at (along with serious calls for a return to some type of "Fairness Doctrine" for talk radio) show how effective our voice in this medium is. Check your six and be aware of these types of initiatives fellow bloggers!