Government documents

United States. Cong. Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet. H.R. 5353: Internet Freedom Preservation Act of 2008. By Ed Markey. Feb. 2008. 26 Aug. 2008 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h5353:)

H.R. 5353 is the Internet Freedom Preservation Act of 2008, which was introduced to the House of Representatives on Feb. 12, 2008 by Congressman Ed Markey. There are two interesting facets of this bill, as originally presented. The first is that it provides protection to free speech on the Internet and ensures that corporations enforce that basic right as an American. The proceedings of this bill will be held in eight separate locations, but there’s mention that the Internet will be used for citizens to participate in the passing of the bill. Citizen journalism is when citizens, regardless of their degree or previous training, have the opportunity to report the news from their perspective. The proceedings are using “citizen politics” where they can comment directly about the bill’s progression


United States. Cong. H.R. 2101: Free Flow of Information Act of 2007. By Rick Boucher. July 2007. 26 Aug. 2008 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h2102:)

H.R. 2101 is the Free Flow of Information Act of 2007, which was introduced to the House of Representatives in July 2007. The law, if passed through the Senate, would shield media members against legal action if he/she doesn’t disclose a source who engaged in illegal activity. In the past, reporters have gone to jail when they refused to identify such a source. It’s important to add that there’s a provision in the law that dictates the “covered persons” under this law and bloggers and citizen journalists are not included unless “a substantial portion” of their livelihood is obtained from that source. Interestingly enough, bloggers, columnists, and citizen journalists could be included under this shield law.