US State Dept "disqualifies" Assange as a "journalist"...and by their definition, ALL OF FOX "NEWS!"

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Pictured above: "political actor" Sean Hannity.

:rofl:

Having ‘political objective’ disqualifies Assange ‘from being considered a journalist,’ State Dept. says

By Stephen C. Webster
Friday, December 10th, 2010 -- 3:12 pm

Who is and is not a journalist? In a hyper-connected age where anyone and everyone can become a publisher in seconds, the word's definition seems increasingly intangible and ever-evolving.

The US State Department, however, appears to have crossed that very muddy line with its criticism of secrets outlet WikiLeaks.

Speaking to reporters recently, State Dept. Assistant Secretary Philip Rowley said that the United States does not consider WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to be a "journalist" or "whistleblower." He insisted that, under US law, he's to be considered a "political actor."

His criteria for reclassifying someone from protected "journalist" to a legally vulnerable "political actor": "Mr. Assange obviously has a particular political objective behind his activities, and I think that, among other things, disqualifies him as being considered a journalist," Crowley said.

Asked what Assange's political objective is, he replied: "I think he’s an anarchist, but he’s not a journalist."

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/12/state-dept-political-objective-disqualifies-reporter-from-considered-journalist/

[EFerrari]

1. I can't believe a Democratic administration is pulling this stuff.

But I do think PJ Crowley is a douche bag and not a diplomat.

[Amonester]

2. Because that a**hat "THINKS" he is not a journalist, it becomes a policy?

What?

Fasci.. uh... Frightning times we live in...

[rucky]

9. One that could - and should - be challenged in the courts.

[pnwmom]

3. Faux news doesn't do journalism, that's no leap. n/t

[Amerigo Vespucci]

4. It made me think of a Bush-era story I read about the White House...

...in which the reporter was careful to note that every TV set was tuned to Fox News, and only Fox News.

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue...the nation's Jiffy Lube customer lounge.

:rofl:

[kelly1mm]

5. Maddow, Olberman, Hannity, O'Riely - all are opinion/entertainment

shows by their own statements on the subject.

[laughingliberal]

7. And all protected under the 1st amendment. Courts have even upheld their right to lie. nt

[kelly1mm]

12. I agree that is the state of the law and I am fine with that. My point

was that media personalities on both the right and left have political motavations so the "haha faux is screwed" type posts fail to consider the same arguments could be used against some MSNBC personalities as well.

[2Design]

6. renaming continues - Torture is called enhanced interogation

sexual assault by TSA is called enhanced pat down
Molestation is called pat down

they just rename anything that is inconvenient

[The Backlash Cometh]

8. That would mean that the entire conservative media movement would

be evidence of a coup.

[Bjorn Against]

10. I would argue that definition disqualifies every journalist.

I don't think there is a journalist in this world who writes on political issues, they all have political objectives whether they admit it or not.

[Cid_B]

11. HAHA .. oh wait....