Re: [Leica] cops

["Bryan Caldwell" <bcaldwell@softcom.net>]

Dave,

You're right. There can be a prior restraint on anyone's freedom of speech.

The difference between journalists and non-journalists is that the
journalist can also claim freedom of the press. You're also right that this
line is blurring. Exactly who is the press and who isn't is getting harder
and harder to define.

Bryan
- -----Original Message-----
From: DAVE YODER <leica@home.com>
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Date: Saturday, April 10, 1999 4:44 PM
Subject: [Leica] cops


>Bryan,
>
>Correct me if I'm wrong but it was my understanding that we journalists
>technically are not supposed to have any privileges (especially in a
>public place) that the public does not have. And since journalists are
>not allowed to break the law in pursuit of a story or picture, I don't
>see the difference between the rights of journalist vs. non-journalist.
>The particular act is either legal or it is not.
>Of course it doesn't work that way in the real world, but since this is
>the law it seems to me that the prior restraint rulings should in theory
>also apply to pedestrians or amateurs. I've read plenty of codes that
>write in exceptions for journalists who represent publications. I wonder
>how the internet is going to change this, since a single person can run
>a publication now.
>
>Dave Y