Apparently, only money protects you. How Gilded Age. Open Left:

The House just passed the Free Flow of Information Act, a 'shield law' protecting journalists.  Here's the rub.

The bill provides journalists with a qualified privilege as to sources and information, while at the same time, recognizing the need for effective law enforcement and robust national security. A blogger who regularly engages in journalistic activities - such as gathering and publishing news and information for dissemination to the public - and does so for a substantial portion of the person's livelihood or for substantial financial gain would be covered by the shield as a journalist.

Well, splendid. Maybe somebody can tell me how start-ups would happen? Because apparently you wouldn't be able to start out small on blogger and grow, the way Atrios did (or FDL did when they started). So, you have to get venture capital to start blogging now? Read more…