Licensing Journalists... right.. try "silencing attempts"

I saw the story first on RWN, so I had to go check out the original story.

And Todd's 100% correct in his assumption.  Not only is this attack on free speech, this is also an attack on bloggers throughout the internet.

A Michigan lawmaker wants to license reporters to ensure they’re credible and vet them for “good moral character.” 

There are just so many things wrong with that statement alone....   First, what is the definintion of "good moral character".  



Hell, which CBS head was it that produced false documents?   Doesn't that already call into question CBS's "Good moral character"?   What about the ABC story about the head of the news dept who apparently was an evil character behind the scenes.     Does that mean ABC and CBS can't work in Michigan?

You say one bad thing about Michigan's govt  (and trust me, that seems like an _Easy_ thing to do with their current governor.)... you're coming into question.

But the better paragraphs come later:

He told FoxNews.com that some reporters covering state politics don’t know what they’re talking about and they’re working for publications he’s never heard of, so he wants to install a process that’ll help him and the general public figure out which reporters to trust.

I'll give you three guesses what "publications" he's referring to... and the first two don't count.

Here's some of the contents of the bill:

• --"Good moral character” and demonstrate they have industry “ethics standards acceptable to the board.”

• --Possession of a degree in journalism or other degree substantially equivalent.

• --Not less than 3 years experience as a reporter or any other relevant background information.

• --Awards or recognition related to being a reporter.

• --Three or more writing samples.

• Reporters will also have to pay an application and registration fee.

 Anyone want to guess who's the obvious target.. you, me, anyone who writes a blog with opinion pieces.   Citizen Jouranlists.

“What’s the definition of a reporter? I haven’t been able to find out? What’s a reporter? What’s a journalist?” Patterson said. “I thought you had to have a degree in journalism but apparently not. I could retire and be a journalist.”

 Here you go Congressman... i'll make it easy for you:

journalist (noun) - jur-nl-ist 1.  a person who practices the occupation or profession of journalism.  2. a person who keeps a journal, diary, or other record of daily events.

I dont' see anywher in there says that a degree has to be involved.    If you write up and publish (even if it's self-published), guess what, you're a journalist.

Heck, I don't even have to go to the US constitution for the final argument.  In fact, let's use the MICHIGAN State Constitution

§ 5 Freedom of speech and of press.
Sec. 5. Every person may freely speak, write, express and publish his views on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of such right; and no law shall be enacted to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech or of the press.
History: Const. 1963, Art. I, §5, Eff. Jan. 1, 1964.
Former Constitution: See Const. 1908, Art. II, §4. 

 You see the first two words, Mr. Congressman?   EVERY person.   Not if the Power-brokers in Michigan have their way  about it.