Not in a 100 years.
Blogger beware? State regulators are wondering whether online political activism amounts to lobbying, which could force Web-based activists to file public reports detailing their finances.In a collision of 21st century media and 1970s political reforms, the inquiry hints at a showdown over press freedoms for bloggers, whose self-published journals can shift between news reporting, opinion writing, political organizing and campaign fundraising.
State officials are downplaying any possible media rights conflict, pointing out that regulators have already exempted journalistic blogging from previous guidelines for online campaign activity.
But the blogosphere is taking the notion seriously.
I’d rather shut the place down then be made to fill out paperwork about the use of my 1st Amendment right.
Actually, strike that.
Exactly what kind of “lobbying†I do here is a mystery to me. I’ve gone to a few hearings on the topic of firearms laws in Washington, but always as a private citizen. I have never once attempted to play myself off as a media outlet.
However, if I am going to be considered a media outlet by Washington State Legislators, then it would stand to reason that I should be entitled to press privileges and the like.
I could find being a thorn in their side quite entertaining enough to spill ink on a form or two. I have never had ads here and I get no money from this bit of what I consider “therapy”, the number of single zeros on the form should piss off these “regulators†quite readily.
But truly and seriously, if the local talk guys and the editorialists don’t have to fill out the forms, then there is no reason to make online publishers do so other than harassment. I’ll fight against it until they stuff it down my throat.
Afterwards, I’ll post so damn much they’ll regret having ever thought of the idea.
Okay, I guess 