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Bloggers and citizen journalists should have the same opportunity to get credentials to cover Congress as mainstream journalists do.

The US Constitution clearly states ''That Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and consult for their common good, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.'' Later, Joseph Story writes in Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States ''The liberty of the press is indeed essential to the nature of a free state; but this consists in laying no previous restraints upon publications, and not in freedom from censure for criminal matter when published. Every freeman has an undoubted right to lay what sentiments he pleases before the public; to forbid this, is to destroy the freedom of the press..." (1874-86).

The bottom line is that no person should be denied an opportunity to get press credentials based on the fact that they are bloggers and/or citizen journalists. Working for a mainstream reporting agency such as Reuters or Time Magazine should not set the standard for whom we consider journalists. Any writer can start a news reporting agency simply by filing for a DBA (doing business as) status with their local government agency and connecting to the Internet. Just as Story wrote, "Every freeman has an undoubted right to lay what sentiments he pleases before the public," so shall it be.

With recent concerns over accuracy of reporting vs. ratings by mainstream news media Americans could certainly benefit from a news perspective without the influence of profit. With unbiased reporting from citizens who are more concerned with getting it right, instead of getting famous, Americans will have a better chance of understanding the real stories behind the policies that affect their lives.

Learn more about this author, Jeffrey Scott.
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