The Blogger Protection Act of 2008

Bill Smith, ARRA Editor: Many years ago, I had the wonderful opportunity while serving our county to live in Montana. The words "Big Sky Country" not only expresses the natural aspects of the state but it also expresses a sense of freedom. With a "Big Sky," there is lots of space for people to live, to do and to speaks as they wish. Today, I send a "Big Sky" Hat tip to Craig Sprout, of Montana Politics for offering Congressman Denny Rehberg a place to post comments on the important legislation to protect bloggers (H.R. 5699, the Blogger Protection Act of 2008).

Bloggers are on the cutting edge of stories in their communities. The majority of bloggers are not beholden to a group or an employer who has the power to limit what they can do and say. If it weren't for the freedom that bloggers have, many of today's "dead tree" print reporters would not have a place to go to garner material for their stories. It is critical in a free society, that bloggers, along with other media types, be able to share thoughts, opinion, ideas, etc. freely. Our forefathers risked everything . Out freedoms were extended to us by their labors and service in casting off tyranny for a free Republic. We should not now or in the future fear of our governments (at all levels) attempts to limit our free speech. We are not like the Canadians, who having remained under the control of the crown were never granted a right to "free speech." While Canadian bloggers face criticism and control by their government agencies, in the United States, bloggers still have free speech. Unfortunately, some are trying to remove or limit this freedom.

As detailed by Congressman Rehberg:

A 2007 report (pdf) found that, in 2006, almost one out of three Americans – more than 60 million people – used the Internet to get political news and information and to discuss campaign races. Over half of Internet users say that they use it because of the amount of information and perspectives that are available – something not easily or cheaply available through more traditional forms of media.

. . . . Whether I agree with them or not, it’s always important to remember that these blogs are . . . the Voice of the People. It’s important we protect that freedom. One way I’m doing this is by supporting H.R. 5699, the Blogger Protection Act of 2008, a bill which would protect . . .. bloggers from the unnecessary intrusion of Washington, DC bureaucrats. In 2002, Congress passed Campaign Finance Reform which some opponents feared would curb free speech. While the bill didn’t specifically mention regulation of the Internet, the law of unintended consequences resulted in a 2004 Federal Court ruling (pdf) which ordered the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to begin regulating speech on the Internet. . . . .As a result, bloggers faced a threat of FEC investigations which would have resulted in a public disclosure requirement and expensive litigation, providing hindrance to the work you all do.

Thankfully, in 2006, at the urgent request of Congress, the FEC passed a rule (pdf) exempting blogs and their authors from this destructive intrusion of federal authority. We argued the Internet is unique because the consumer, not the producer, decides what’s worth reading. Unlike traditional media, speech on the Internet is not constrained by scarcity of space and production. Internet content is only as effective as the choices of the audience to view it. Exempting Internet speech from FEC regulation was right thing to do, but the fight isn’t over. As easily as this rule was created in 2006, it can be removed by a new Administration. That’s why the Blogger Protection Act is necessary. . . . [Complete Article]

Contact your representatives and your senators, and encourage them all to support the H.R. 5699, the Blogger Protection Act of 2008. This one law that should be above partisan bickering and should be passed quickly.

---

Tags: blogger, bloggers, free speech To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!