Bloggers gain access to 'Scooter' Libby trial

[babylonsister]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/2/story.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10419169

Bloggers gain access to 'Scooter' Libby trial

snip//

"Bloggers are part of the media landscape and if we were to ignore bloggers, we would be ignoring reality," Snook said.

The rise of internet blogs, or Web logs, has led to debates on whether bloggers, who often operate independently and with little editorial oversight, are entitled to the same access and protection as traditional print, radio and television journalists.

Two seats will be controlled by members of the nonpartisan Media Blogging Association, a trade group that provides legal advice and promotes increased access for its 1,000 members.

While members adhere to standards of fairness and accuracy, the 12 who will rotate through the two seats during the trial will include political perspectives from the left and the right in their coverage, association President Robert Cox said.

"Our members are not going in there to file wire service copy or be pool reporters -- they're going to express opinions," Cox said.

Two more seats will be controlled by writers for several liberal-leaning blogs, including Firedoglake, The Huffington Post and DailyKos, said Firedoglake founder Jane Hamsher.

more...

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. Cool

Guess whose coverage I will be reading? LOL

[DoYouEverWonder]

2. Excellent decision

Of course the M$M fails to mention that most bloggers are truly independent and are not controlled by big money.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

3. True. Our "editorial oversight" doesn't include trying to appease corporate overseers. n/t

MKJ

[babylonsister]

4. Murray Waas will also be live-blogging, per C&L!

http://www.crooksandliars.com/


By: John Amato @ 3:45 PM - PST Submit or Digg this Post

I have a pass for week three at the Scooter Libby trial at this point and will have someone live blogging the event for C&L. This is really cool news and I'm excited to get up to the minute information out to everyone. You never know when a story will break, but we'll be there, Robert Cox from the MBA explains.

The Washington Post covers it and Jane Hamsher has a great write up of the story and will be there too.

UPDATE: The great investigative reporter—Murray Waas—has agreed to live blog the trial for us!