Should Bloggers Lose Freedom Of Press?

Maybe the 1st Amendment doesn’t apply to bloggers, at least the bad ones.  That’s a question approached by USA Today founder Al Neuharth in Friday’s “Plain Talk” commentary.

When I hear a question like this asked, I tend to coil like a cobra in a corner.  Mr. Neuharth’s opinions are often as useless as black jellybeans, so I prepared to be maddened by the short column.  The potential targets are bad bloggers who “peddle phony stuff to promote themselves and/or hurt others.”  Some readers aren’t informed or smart enough to tell the difference, he says and describes the significance.

“Some politicians, prime victims of bad bloggers, think the First Amendment protection of a free press should not apply to bloggers and have threatened laws to try to do something about it.”

The only politician mentioned is State Senator Steve Gross, A.K.A. some guy you’ve never heard of unless you live somewhere in North Carolina.  You’ll be stunned to learn he’s a democrat. 

Anyway, the surprise twist comes from Neuharth.  He declares that such measures are “wrong,” and the internet today is no different than pamphlets in the days of the Founders.  Readers need to use their brains and check uncredited statements.  People attacked by bloggers need to develop a sense of humor.  As comedian Lewis Black once said, the ability to laugh about things is a powerful asset.  If only the jihadists could figure that out. 

Come to think of it, England could use a sense of humor these days as they squat on freedoms through increasing censorship.  You may have heard that conservative shock jock Michael Savage has recently been banned from her majesty’s playground.  Savage is likened to a murderer or terrorist or something, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.  State police powers are growing as media is facing more restrictions and some have even been arrested for criticizing Islam.  I guess Ann Coulter won’t be visiting London anytime soon.  Criticize America or Christianity or Judaism all you want by the way.