Confirmed: Bloggers Have First Amendment Rights as Corporate Media
"Kudos to Free Speech Warriors - Crystal L. Cox and Eugene Volokh!
A big mahalo to Crystal L. Cox and Eugence Volokh for their valiant
efforts to protect free press and free speech!"
"On January 17, 2014, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with Crystal L. Cox from Eureka, Montana who was sued by for defamation by Kevin Padrick, an attorney and his company - Obsidian Finance Group, LLC. Cox had written posts exposing fraud, corruption, money-laundering and so forth."
"This ruling should be a clear reminder to misguided attorneys, corporations, developers or those with affluence to cease bullying or intimidating those who report the issues of the day.
Many concerned citizens have no choice but to create their own blogs and websites to level the playing field in this blossoming social media warfare.
The government has its plentiful public relations specialists, paid for by taxpayers. Corporations and special interests have their hired PR consultants. There are hired mercenaries who feel no qualms about spinning the facts. News media can be bought or controlled by big money or shut down.
It's not uncommon for the public to read articles or watch the TV news only to lament the irregularities or inadequate reporting. Oftentimes, critical issues are shunned or ignored by corporate media because of entwined relationships.
Bloggers with information or have intimate experiences and understanding of issues are critically needed now, more than ever."
source
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/choon-james/confirmed-bloggers-have-f_b_4657313.html