Tweet
This has been brewing for a few weeks now, but the following article brings the spotlight to this case that could have an impact on online journalists, blogging and possibly a whole lot more.
Pflueger case to test protection of blogs
Additional Links
Keep the discussion focused on the case and free speech rights as pertaining to journalists whether regardless if they are print, electronic or internet media and how far the law should go to protect everyday people such as "citizen journalists" or bloggers.
Also is HawaiiReporter and online newspaper or a blog?
Pflueger case to test protection of blogs
An isle Internet writer claims a journalist's standard for secrecy
A LAWYER trying to get an Internet writer to testify and turn over notes for a court case says Web bloggers should not have the same rights as mainstream reporters.
Attorney William McCorriston, in a lawsuit brought by landowner James Pflueger over the failure of the Ka Loko Dam, claims that Malia Zimmerman of Hawaiireporter.com is a blogger who is not entitled to withhold her sources of information.
But Zimmerman, an editor and reporter for the Web site, says she is a legitimate journalist, not just some hack who offers half-baked commentary on the news of the day.
"Any journalist who gives their word that they'll protect somebody's information or keep them in confidence, you have to abide by that," Zimmerman said. "It's not the medium you publish in, it's what you do with that information."
Circuit Judge Gary Chang has ordered Zimmerman to submit to questioning under oath by McCorriston, likely in June. She can refuse to answer questions, but she must explain her reasons for doing so, and the judge would later rule on whether she is justified.
Hawaii does not have a journalist shield law, like those enacted in 31 states to protect reporters' rights to keep their sources confidential.
A LAWYER trying to get an Internet writer to testify and turn over notes for a court case says Web bloggers should not have the same rights as mainstream reporters.
Attorney William McCorriston, in a lawsuit brought by landowner James Pflueger over the failure of the Ka Loko Dam, claims that Malia Zimmerman of Hawaiireporter.com is a blogger who is not entitled to withhold her sources of information.
But Zimmerman, an editor and reporter for the Web site, says she is a legitimate journalist, not just some hack who offers half-baked commentary on the news of the day.
"Any journalist who gives their word that they'll protect somebody's information or keep them in confidence, you have to abide by that," Zimmerman said. "It's not the medium you publish in, it's what you do with that information."
Circuit Judge Gary Chang has ordered Zimmerman to submit to questioning under oath by McCorriston, likely in June. She can refuse to answer questions, but she must explain her reasons for doing so, and the judge would later rule on whether she is justified.
Hawaii does not have a journalist shield law, like those enacted in 31 states to protect reporters' rights to keep their sources confidential.
Keep the discussion focused on the case and free speech rights as pertaining to journalists whether regardless if they are print, electronic or internet media and how far the law should go to protect everyday people such as "citizen journalists" or bloggers.
Also is HawaiiReporter and online newspaper or a blog?
Comment