(iverson's) currentbuzz: Definition of a Journalist: The House Gives it a Try

The House of Representatives Judiciary panel is working on a "federal shield law" ( Free Flow of Information Act of 2007 (Introduced in House) HR 2102 IH ) to protect the press from having to identify sources. The idea is to include traditional journalists and extend the protection to serious bloggers (is that an oxymoron?) and exclude "casual bloggers."

Here is the definition of who would be protected:

The bill defines the practice of journalism as "gathering, preparing, collecting, photographing, recording, writing, editing, reporting or publishing of news or information that concerns local, national or international events or other matters of public interest for dissemination to the public."

Source: news.com.com

Journalism organizations support the idea of a shield law and currently 49 states have such laws. This one may sit for some time as Congress will go into summer recess soon.