By Joyce Kryszak
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-826209.mp3
Buffalo, NY – Journalists and free speech advocates have long fought to protect 1st amendment rights. But as newspapers wither and the blogospere thrives, new constitutional challenges emerge. A panel discussion Tuesday night at Hallwalls will examine some of the issues.
A panel of free speech experts will tackle some of the toughest issues facing journalists and news organizations. It's entitled: "On the Front Lines: State Secrets and Journalist Shield Laws: What Next?"
That is a pretty big question by itself - but there are many others.
Jonathon Welch of Talking Leaves Books organized the event and will moderate. He said internet reporting opens up a brave new world or a scary new world, depending upon who you ask.
"Especially as newspapers in particular are under seige and by some accounts aren't going to exist anymore in a few years," said Welch. "So, what happens to all the journalists, and who is a journalist if, in fact, they don't have the protection that they've traditionally had through an employer?"
Bloggers and citizen journalists are among those creating news content on the web. But how reliable are they and should they be able to hide their sources with the same legal protections as traditional journalists? Attorney Joseph Finnerty is a media law expert who will be on the panel.
Finnerty said it is a time of overlay for the media. And he said most agree that courts will have to decide where to draw the lines.
"You have to get into the definitions of who is a journalist, because most shield laws prootect journalists," said Finnerty.
And there are plenty of other problems. Finnerty said the advent of the blogosphere has newspapers all over the country fighting for survival. He said the idea of print journalism dying was once unthinkable. But he says now it's hard to imagine how they will stay in business.
"The major question is where will news organizations of the future get the money to afford to produce credible journalism?"
Welch of Talking Leaves Books said that the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression is committed to airing these and other matters of free speech. He said the panel discussion is an attempt to engage and educate the public about these crucial, emerging issues.
Other panelists include UB media attorney Jim Milles, and investigative reporters Geoff Kelly and James Heaney. The public is invited to attend. That's at 7:00 PM Tuesday at Hallwalls.
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