US Spy Agencies See Bloggers as Journalists

Sniper223 writes with a link to ABC's Blotter blog. That site observes that at least in the realm of US intelligence gathering, the 'are bloggers journalists' question is already decided. "Despite the rap that bloggers simply 'bloviate' and 'don't try to find things out,' as conservative newspaper columnist Robert Novak once sniffed, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the National Security Agency (NSA) have altered policies to indicate they're taking blogs seriously, and a growing number of public offices are actively reaching out to the blogosphere. The CIA recently updated its policies on Freedom of Information Act requests to allow bloggers to qualify for special treatment once reserved for old-school reporters. And last August, the NSA issued a directive to its employees to report leaks of classified information to the media — "including blogs," the order said."

Comments

Not special

[Ckwop]

Despite the rap that bloggers simply 'bloviate' and 'don't try to find things out,' as conservative newspaper columnist Robert Novak once sniffed.

The greatest strength of the web is that anyone can publish to a worldwide audience. The greatest weakness of the web is that anyone can publish to a worldwide audience. However, this is only a minor weakness. I'm not forced at gun point to read everybody else's blogs, I get to pick and choose what I read and when I read it.

And this is what the old media don't like about the rise of the blog. They no longer get to control content and the blogs are eating in to what used to be their advertising revenue.

And last August, the NSA issued a directive to its employees to report leaks of classified information to the media -- "including blogs,"

A leak, however it happens, is a leak. I don't think the fact they mentioned blogs means much. If people started leaking by carrier pigeon I'm sure that would get included in such a directive as well.

Simon.

Re:Next up

[Anonymous Coward]

No, next up will probably be: Now that bloggers are journalists, anonymous blogging will be made illegal. Closely followed by: Everyone posting a comment on the internet is a blogger.

Re:No compliment

[GPL Apostate]

The concept of the 'real journalist' is just a modern construct, however. Up until the late 20th century, people reported on the news and they rose through the ranks through news organizations. There was no select cadre of 'journalists' who were professionally trained to 'report the news.' Many of the historic classic 'reporters' started out in the news industry as copy boys and clerks.

These days, you flunk out of calculus, decide you can't be an engineer, and the English department is too snooty (you'd have to READ BOOKS and all that awful stuff), so you transfer to J-School. And become part of the 'News Elite.'

Thank goodness that whole sheen is melting away.

Bloviate?

[GuldKalle]

At first i thought it was a blogging-related buzzword run amok, but apparently it is a real word.

You learn something every day.