Useful References for Webloggers

As a blogger I do not consider myself to be a journalist of any kind, not a news journalist, not an opinion journalist. The term "raw information provider" probably comes closer to describing my objective for my weblog. (It did not escape my notice that the acronym for "raw information provider" is R.I.P.!)

Still, journalism has its own organizations that produce educational material to enhance their members' skills. Here are some links to material produced by one organization, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (RCFP). The titles are self-explanatory, and some are clearly relevant to webloggers interested in blogging lawfully and ethically with timely, accurate, and fair information.

Access to Electronic Records

Access to Juvenile Courts

Access to Places

First Amendment Handbook

How to Use the Federal FOI Act

Medical Privacy vs. the Public Interest

Photographers' Guide to Privacy

The Privacy Paradox

Of all these links, I found the First Amendment Handbook to be the most concise yet comprehensive. Its coverage includes chapters with these titles:

• Libel
• Invasion of Privacy
• Surreptitious Recording
• Confidential Sources and Information
• Prior Restraints
• Gag Orders
• Access to Courts
• Access to Places
• Freedom of Information Acts
• Copyright