Here’s a link to an online petition and letter to be sent to FEC Chairman Scott E. Thompson requesting the following:
The letter includes three requests of the Commission:
1. Grant blogs and online publications the same consideration and protection as broadcast media, newspapers, or periodicals by clearly including them under the Federal Election Commission’s “media exemption” rule.
2.Promulgate a rule exempting unpaid political activity on the Internet from regulation, thereby insuring every American’s right to speak freely and participate in our democratic process.
3. Clarify the rules and definitions related to “coordinated activity” to protect bloggers and journalists from running afoul of Commission rules regarding the republication of campaign materials.
The letter was signed by a bi-partisan group of bloggers, journalists, and on line activists.
So click on, sign up, and keep your eyes and ears open.
UPDATE: HOWARD KURTZ GETS IT RIGHT
Howard Kurtz’s Media Notes reports on the FEC controvsy and the issues raised by the potential regulation of blogs. (HT: Captains Quarters)
Turns out Kurtz “gets it:”
I’m not one of these people who thinks you need a graduate degree, an ID card or an official stamp of approval to call yourself a journalist. Anyone with an idea and a computer can now play the role of reporter, commentator or social critic. People can tell the difference between a New York Times correspondent and BozoBlogger.com, and both have something to contribute.
Read the whole thing.
2:09 pm
Id sign that when bloggers actually become journalists… just having an opinion a little bit of fact and a forum do not a journalist make
6:57 pm
I;m not a journalist…I’m a polemicist. I would hope the same free speech rights enjoyed by journalists would be extended to me.