Who Is NOT an Independent Journalist?
INTERVIEW ON THE PRICE OF BUSINESS SHOW, MEDIA PARTNER OF THIS SITE.
Recently Kevin Price, Host of the nationally syndicated Price of Business Show, interviewed David Dozier who is a leading media authority.
On a recent Price of Business show, Host Kevin Price interviewed Dr. David Dozier. He’s professor emeritus of journalism at San Diego State. They discussed shield laws which prevent the government from forcing journalist to reveal anonymous sources. In late January, federal agents arrested former CNN journalist Don Lemon and Minnesota journalist Georgia Fort for their coverage of a demonstration at the Minneapolis church. This is consistent with Trump’s ongoing assault on the First Amendment. Journalists for legacy media enjoy perks that distinguish their First Amendment rights from those of ordinary citizens. Paramount among these is the right to protect the identity of anonymous sources. Recall the key role that “Deep Throat” played in bringing down the corrupt Nixon Administration. Forty states have shield laws that, to varying degrees, prevent the government from forcing journalists to identify anonymous sources. Currently, no federal law provides such protection. In 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the PRESS Act (Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying Act). The act has stalled in the U.S. Senate due to Trump’s opposition. Lemon and Fort are independent journalists. The PRESS Act covers anyone who gathers and disseminates news. Thus, it extends protection to “unconventional journalists and upstart outlets for which the expense of battling a subpoena can pose an existential threat”1 Internet access allows anyone who collects and disseminates news to self-describe as an independent journalist. In theory, one could post news about off-leash dogs and reckless kids on e-bikes on Nextdoor. These citizens could protect anonymous sources from disclosure to the government. The courts will struggle to determine if anyone is not an independent journalist (see www.DavidDozierBooks.com and www.linkedin.com/in/david-dozier-576b684/).
https://www.spj.org/the-press-act-what-it-is-and-why-its-important-to-get-it-passed/
The Price of Business is one of the longest running shows of its kind in the country and is in markets coast to coast. The Host, Kevin Price, is a multi-award winning author, broadcast journalist, and syndicated columnist. He is Editor at Large for this site. Learn more about the show and its digital partners at www.PriceofBusiness.com.
David Dozier (DavidDozierBooks.com) is the author of the novel, The California Killing Field. He is a professor emeritus in the School of Journalism & Media Studies, San Diego State University. He’s an internationally recognized expert on communication management and public relations.
According to USA Business Radio, “David Dozier is a scholar of public relations and communication management, professor emeritus in the School of Journalism & Media Studies at San Diego State University, and author of The California Killing Field. He says fake news has become a phenomenon, political campaigns use the tactic to influence voters, and that it’s perplexing that a conspiracy-based group such as QAnon has gained national attention.
Kevin Price and David Dozier are doing a multi-part series on this important topic that will be on many different platforms, as well as on radio. Keep an eye out for the series throughout the Price of Business Digital Network and USA Business Radio.
Connect with David Dozier on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-dozier-576b684/
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