by Dean Ralph

Created on: August 19, 2011

In most cases Bloggers are just your average citizens taking advantage of the availability of the internet to get their opinions out for others to see. Many of them are biased about the subjects of which they are writing. These people should not necessarily be given "Press" credentials the same as hired journalists.

There are, however, a few Bloggers that are actually " citizen journalists." The main difference being objectivity. There are some bloggers out there in the cyber world that are actually interested in getting the truth out to the readers. Truth that those in the "Big Media" or "Corporate Media" don't put out there. Let's face it, the main stream media in America today doesn't stand tall and proud. It leans left or right, some more than others. Those that lean left make the news sound more favorable to those on the left. The same goes for the right. The main stream media today has gone from informational to financial. It is all about who is calling the shots in the Penthouse office. It is all about who is lining the pockets of those in the Penthouse. It has nothing to do with right or wrong, fact or hopeful fiction.

If those people in Washington actually cared about the truth and doing right  by the American people, then, by all means, allow bloggers and Citizen Journalists to apply for the required permits and passes. The truth is more likely to be put out there by those not getting paid by large corporations and interest groups.

By applying for these credentials, the people are agreeing to complete background checks. This would be to insure the safety of the politicians during the interviews or press conferences. They would have their previous articles scrutinized and reviewed to see if they are interested in the truth or pursuing an agenda. They are also opening themselves up to a larger much more dangerous legal aspect. Yes, the Constitution protects the press and allows them the freedom to voice their opinions. It allows them the right to talk about what they want. It does not allow them to intentionally mislead or out right lie about others. These Bloggers would need to understand that even though it is a blog and will largely contain their own views and opinions, that if they use inaccurate information they found on another website, they can always claim that they were mislead. If they were present at the press conference or the interview and they misquote or make a mistake, they are now the ones that will be held liable.

Any matter that does not concern National Security, should be open to the general public. Nothing in Washington should be done behind closed doors, that does not concern National Security. National Security being defined as something you would not want an enemy of the state getting information on, not whether the TSA can frisk you or if the FBI can tap your phones. Information concerning Military technology, covert operations and things of that nature should be done without everyone having access to them. Whether or not a Congressman or Congresswoman is sleeping with an aide or if they inhaled back in the 70's isn't news, however, once they step into the political arena they open themselves to that kind of scrutiny and if someone wants to tell the rest of the world about it shouldn't depend on whether or not they went to college to learn how to report what someone else wants them to report. What laws Congress is passing behind closed doors needs to be told, education or professional job title should not determine whether or not you have access to that information.

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