Michigan Considers Law to License Journalists

Michigan Considers Law to License Journalists

www.foxnews.com

A Michigan lawmaker wants to license reporters to ensure they’re credible and vet them for “good moral character.”

Senator Bruce Patterson is introducing legislation that will regulate reporters much like the state does with hairdressers, auto mechanics and plumbers. Patterson, who also practices constitutional law, says that the general public is being overwhelmed by an increasing number of media outlets--traditional, online and citizen generated--and an even greater amount misinformation.

(visit the link for the full news article)

It also goes on to say, "According to the bill, reporters must provide the licensing board proof of:
--"Good moral character” and demonstrate they have industry “ethics standards acceptable to the board.”
--Possession of a degree in journalism or other degree substantially equivalent.
--Not less than 3 years experience as a reporter or any other relevant background information.
--Awards or recognition related to being a reporter.
--Three or more writing samples.
Reporters will also have to pay an application and registration fee."

Okay, so the reporters have to have 3 years experience as a reporter in order to be licensed as a reporter. I guess no new reporters allowed.

How exactly does someone display he or she has "good moral character"? Who will be the judge of that?

www.foxnews.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

geez
something stinks in Michigan

does that mean ATS posters from Michigan
can't write or post on ATS anymore???
Or even an editorial??? what about a journal???
a diary ??? Can they write their own grocery list???
What will be next ????

reply to post by boondock-saint


All it means is that journalists will now be "government approved". I am sure there are plenty of socialists on right now that are jumping for joy.

This can't pass. Most ridicilous piece of legistlation ever. If it looks like this gets support then I say michigan, time to pick up those arms and get rid of the rot that governs there.

Originally posted by ventian
reply to post by boondock-saint

 

All it means is that journalists will now be "government approved". I am sure there are plenty of socialists on right now that are jumping for joy.

Here's one democratic socialist who doesn't want any government control of journos.

Not even if a socialist government was in power.

Sorry if that messes up your pathetic attempt to polarise everything into left and right.

a) This will never pass. There are always random crazy or stupid lawmakers introducing insane bills like this in State Houses, and even in Congress, all the time. Most don't go very far. As this article says:

“It’s a single sponsor bill. I think that says it all” said Mike MacLaren, executive director of the Michigan Press Association.

In other words, this lawmaker could not get a single other lawmakers to join him in introducing the bill because none of them agree with it.

b) For the sake of argument, let's say such a law somehow did get passed and signed into law in this, or some other state. Such a law would not last long and would get struck down by the courts as soon as it got challenged by someone wants to write news stories without such qualifications. It's a proposed law that is an absolute violation of the 1st Amendment.

Typical of Fox News, they fail to mention that this lawmaker is a Republican. Where he a Democrat, they'd screaming his party affiliation to high heaven. (What was that people were saying about him being a socialist?)

[edit on 5/30/2010 by LifeInDeath]

reply to post by Jessicamsa


I hope the senator is squeaky clean himself. You know the press is going to go after him like he's never seen before; and it won't matter which party he is affiliated with.



[edit on 30-5-2010 by manta78]

I understand what he's getting at, but does the Senator really think that this is not abridging the freedom of the press? I wonder.

Originally posted by ventian I am sure there are plenty of socialists on right now that are jumping for joy.

What? Is this Senator Patterson a new breed of politician? A socialist Republican? Wow! He probably listens to that, as has been described on an ATS thread, liberal Michael Savage.

Since when does the constitution matter in this country? They've been wanting to scrap it for something more 'modern' for years.

lol do they think they can just cancel out the first amendment and no one will notice?

second line.

reply to post by Jessicamsa


So much for Freedom of Speech but....we all saw this coming.

Control. Greed.
Greed. Control.
Controlling greed!

The rich are never rich enough and the controllers never have enough control

I guess we all should feel lucky we still have freedom to breathe at this point

You know, it's complete bull# imo. The elites and owners of major or even minor news outlets - with how secret societies penetrate the most benevolent of places - are getting scared #less. They're finaly realizing the power of the internet. I'm 21 years old and have found out the reality of just how big the 14 ton elephant that was sitting on my bed. Now I plan to bring bullet proof facts and scientific knowledge to the public. I live in Michigan and hope to god that a. it is not passed and b. if it is, that it doesn't hold professional wheight. They are scared, and rightfully so. Passing legislation like this is incentive for the already mindless to further subscribe to even more mindless ways of thought. All journalism programs and universities teach you the basics of ethics and morality in reporting current events. I'm sure the "ethics" and "morale character" mentioned in the legislation are nice ways of determining if a journalist wants to report the truth and nothing but the truth no matter the pile of lies he/she uncovers. Bam. A load of elephant #. Keep running scared.

Originally posted by LifeInDeath
Typical of Fox News, they fail to mention that this lawmaker is a Republican.
[edit on 5/30/2010 by LifeInDeath]

The reason he's doing this is that he's term limited, he cannot run for re-election. Off come the Republican sheep clothing and we see the wolf for what he really is.

Sounds like those of us in Michigan, are just going to have to become ATS certified journalists.



There's more than one way to unskin a cat, and the government either state or federal, trying to snuff out free speach under any guise won't fly.

It makes one think about their idea of reliable and credible sources. If there is an issue large enough for action to be taken, doesn't that say enough?

Originally posted by manta78
reply to post by Jessicamsa

 

I hope the senator is squeaky clean himself. You know the press is going to go after him like he's never seen before; and it won't matter which party he is affiliated with.

[edit on 30-5-2010 by manta78]

I doubt it. He's in their corner saying that tabloid journalism is killing the established newspapers and legitimate news sources. He'll be overlooked. I would assume thats why "Bruce Patterson CNN" and "Bruce Patterson MSNBC" and "Detroit Free Press Bruce Patterson" and a host of others return no results for this story. Fox News has it though. Sorry, Faux News - must not be real.

Originally posted by Jessicamsa


It also goes on to say, "According to the bill, reporters must provide the licensing board proof of:
--"Good moral character” and demonstrate they have industry “ethics standards acceptable to the board.”

--Possession of a degree in journalism or other degree substantially equivalent.

--Not less than 3 years experience as a reporter or any other relevant background information.

--Awards or recognition related to being a reporter.

--Three or more writing samples.

Reporters will also have to pay an application and registration fee."

I think this is a good idea.

I think a criminal background check as well as a credit report screening would also be a good idea for reporters and journalists.

These people hold the power of the masses thinking. They should be considered dangerous unless they are correctly reporting the news.

Originally posted by PsykoOps

This can't pass. Most ridicilous piece of legistlation ever.

Never say never.

All kinds of crazy stuff is happening lately.

The Arizona governor threatened to balance the state budget unless the people voted for higher taxes.

Guess what the people voted for higher taxes. Thak god they didn't actually have to balance the budget. Lot's of people were worried about that happening.

The latest craziness in Arizona is that illegal aliens are threatening to remove thier students from public schools, thereby causing teacher layoffs.

[edit on 30-5-2010 by Freedom or Death]

The people who are crooked are just as likely to have clean credit ratings as an 'honest' person. Afterall, they can just scam some money to pay their bills. A background check does little to nothing.

Originally posted by Freedom or Death
These people hold the power of the masses thinking. They should be considered dangerous unless they are correctly reporting the news.

Correction - Did.

Online forums that allow people to comment/discuss the news using the previous events and surrounding information as support trumps a static reporters non interactive opinion/expression any day of the week.

This is a weak piece of legislation that is likely being influenced for societal testing by the traditional, and almost archaic, Big Media.

Some speculation on my part but the fact remains that it doesn't matter whom they try and prevent from being in the media...I and many others will continue to opine and correct when and if necessary...

The Gulf Oil Spill in 1979 and the correlations to the current Gulf crisis is a great example of this...I never would have known if it weren't for this forum...