"Are internet blog posts afforded the same 1st amendment rights granted to those working with traditional news media?
Yes, according to this recent 9th Circuit Court case which appears to be the the first federal case that specifically addresses and protects the rights of bloggers.
Internet writers can now take a deep breath and write a little more freely.
In defamation suits, bloggers and citizen journalists are at par with the professional journalists. The legal standards for judging their actions should be the same in relation to the First Amendment.
Crystal Cox, the blogger in question, was taken to court by Obsidian Finance Group, for having allegedly defamed the company. In her blog, Cox accused the Finance group of fraud, corruption and other deeds of misconduct. While Cox posted various blogs about this company, the one post that went to trial contained allegations that one of the company’s principals had failed to pay taxes for a company that filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy."
Source and Full Crystal Cox Case article
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