Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., shocked many yesterday when he went public to muse over the question of whether bloggers “deserve First Amendment protection? These are the issues of our times.” Actually, it may be a question for Lindsey Graham but it is not a question of our time. Bloggers are clearly entitled to first amendment rights as are other citizens. Graham appears to be trying to raise the question of whether they are entitled to protections accorded journalists under a federal shield law.
Graham stood before reporters to pose the question: “Who is a journalist is a question we need to ask ourselves. Is any blogger out there saying anything—do they deserve First Amendment protection? These are the issues of our times.”
Putting aside his confusion between general first amendment rights, including the right to free speech, and press protections, Graham appears to be clueless about the shift of the media toward Internet reporting and blogging. It is astonishing that he would question the status of bloggers who regularly cover the government and politics as journalists. Bloggers are now included in the White House press conferences and other media events. The White House regularly brings in bloggers with traditional media for meeting affecting the free press.
Congressional members have long been quietly hostile to the federal shield law, which is why virtually every state has passed it despite the lack of a federal law. These members have a love/hate relationship with the media. They need the media but resent the media.
In Graham’s defense, there has been a long discussion of how broad the definition of a journalist can become without losing any sense of definition or limits. Traditional media figures have been known to raise this question. However, Graham puts a more menacing spin on the question by questioning all bloggers and failing to distinguish between the federal shield law and already recognized first amendment rights of bloggers.
SOURCE: NJ
woody, You’re as predictable as the sunrise.
I love the repubs definition of ‘smaller government”. That’s their mantra unless it involves civil rights (and right of the body when it comes to women)
What about the warrantless wiretaps of Amerikan citizens by the NSA, FBI, etc. under the bush administration…do they not have the same rights as Rosen and other journalists….????
Its a little bit elitist(and hypocritical)for senator graham to want to limit constitutional rights (at the same time that he professes to be a great constitutionalist) for some groups…he is always a little bit pompous and uses selective amnesia and sin of omission to cover for the mistake of his establishment …
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Thank you so very much Mr. Jonathan Turley for sharing this post.
Take Princess Sparkle at his word. He doesn’t think US citizens deserve freedom of speech. Oh, and, Benghazi, Benghazi Benghazi.
I would pay for Graham to get a decent haircut.
Lindsey Graham is a danger to this nation. He and many others should be forced to resign.
It is time for America to have another Revolution. Laugh or mock if you wish but as you do we slip further and further into the abyss. That is fine if you only have 10-15 years left on this planet. After all it doesnt effect you personally if we collapse into a Police State because you will be selfish and dead by then..
The first amendment guarantees freedom of the press, not mass media journalism. Anyone with a press was able to publish their views and distribute them to the public – often with very small circulation. The internet should be understood as the press of today, with the ability to reach far more people than the pamphleteers of colonial America. I’m guessing that Benjamin Franklin, if he was around today, would be quite the blogger.
“The first amendment guarantees freedom of the press, not mass media journalism. Anyone with a press was able to publish their views and distribute them to the public”
Gerry,
Brilliant point that had me slapping my head and thinking “Why didn’t I think of that!”
mespo:
“I can’t stand that smarmy, effeminate, off-putting Graham.”
Amen, I have been saying that for years. I would add unctuous.
In the movie “Religulous” Arkansas Senator Mary Pryor reminds us that “you don’t need to pass an IQ test to be in the Senate.” Boy was he right. I can’t stand that smarmy, effeminate, off-putting Graham.
I heard Lindsey recently talk about the drone program. In response to how drones can be used on anybody anywhere Mr Graham’s response was “I’m fine with that”. I used to like him on some issues. He seems to be falling further and further off the cliff of self importance.
I agree with Mike S. “It seems to me that the definition of who is a journalist should be as broad as possible.” They indeed seem to have gone to sleep as soon as Mr O became the Prez.
On what authority does Sen. Graham pose the question in the first place.
We have an inalienable right to free speech, as guaranteed by First Amendment.
The executive branch of government has no authority to abridge our inalienable rights – nor does the judicial branch or congress
The form or free speech is not relevant. Either we have free speech or not.
As our founders expressly stipulated, the right to free speech against government intrusion against our inalienable rights is our fundamental right and only effective means of peaceful protest. See the First Amendment.
Is it any wonder why the government is continually attempting to disarm the people and abridge our rights of peaceful redress against government violations of our inalienable rights.
A free press and dialogue by the people (blogging) cannot be infringed by the very government against whom the complaints or violations of rights are made.
this comes as no surprise to me, he hangs out with john mccain.
“In Graham’s defense, there has been a long discussion of how broad the definition of a journalist can become without losing any sense of definition or limits.”
It seems to me that the definition of who is a journalist should be as broad as possible. Currently the “official” media is not doing its job of informing the public so that the public can make informed choices. It has been the investigative journalists on the Internet who have been bringing us all vital information. Senator Graham has shown through the years that wisdom and understanding of the Constitution have not been his strengths.
As with most GOP, there is only one Amendment worth protecting and that’s the supposedly infallible nature of the 2nd Amendment. When it comes to the 1st Amendment, then you can do as you want to limit free speech, prevent government protest and force government sponsored religion on the masses..
We must not tolerate these fascists any longer. Lindsey Graham is more of a threat to America than any terrorist.
The govt. is on average 8-10 years behind the public on virtually all issues. And, they usually kick and scream like 2 year olds as they are forced to get up to speed.
AY, “Phillips head you” is the polite response.
Ho can you politely say, screw you…. And still be acceptable….. Quadry…. Is he saying that to us or am I saying that to him….
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