Comments on: free speech and the rights of photographers and bloggers

By: eyeson jackson

eyeson jackson — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 18:40:43 +0000

The sheriff should have not have removed Romeo. Romeo should not have removed the photos. Only the “spoken” rule against the publishing of the photos should have been removed. More likely than not, the JHM resort and the sheriff were more interested in preventing bad PR or exposing their rescue actions to second guessing. The JHMR and the sheriff are the evil doers here.

By: Jim Stanford

Jim Stanford — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:25:37 +0000

I should have included this, but here’s a guide to bloggers’ rights, published by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a group of cyberpatriots founded by Wyoming’s own John Perry Barlow:

http://w2.eff.org/bloggers/

And here’s a column written by U.S. Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., in 2005, defending the rights of bloggers:

http://news.cnet.com/Bloggers-have-rights-too/2010-1034_3-5632544.html

By: Tammy C.

Tammy C. — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:48:55 +0000

It’s risky as heck to ski these mountains when avalanche probability is so high. That doesn’t stop people skiing the mountains. And that is their right, but they have to know that if they get creamed, it’s because they skied the mountain when avalanche danger is extreme.

So, if you work in a given arena, are cognizant of its hazards, and skate out on the thin ice anyway, you are in danger of falling through. The choice was yours to take or not.

So, these guys are journalists, maybe…but not necessarily smart. In these circumstances, they had to know what might happen if they posted what they did. They took the risk.

And I agree: Are you a journalist, on the scene at the time, recording a story? Or are you taking advantage of a sensational situation because you were there as an employee? If the latter, you are part of that business’ marketing team, like it or not. If you don’t like it, don’t join up. Traditional, old fashioned—but dudes! Common sense: try it!

By: Derek

Derek — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:38:47 +0000

Romeo is one of the best journalist in the county. Every day I log on to see the news and information on his site. Some times it is a story, sometimes news, and sometimes pic. All of which are in Newspapers. I have lived my whole life in Wyoming and grew up skiing in the Tetons Wyoming range and Winds. His information is far more relevant then all the info in the Dailey through out the whole year. What a sad sad state of affairs. I am ashamed of our local government to the highest degree. The sheriff is a sell out pole smoking yes man. HOW PATHETIC

By: SonofVBeach

SonofVBeach — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 14:59:20 +0000

great article! well done. many people take their inherent rights for granted daily, remember where they came from and why they were included.

By: js

js — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 05:23:10 +0000

The NYPD relented this week and gave press credentials to bloggers after being sued:

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/09/bloggers-get-press-credentials-after-police-relent/?hp

Here’s the response I got from a veteran journalist who dates from the era of linotype:

“I think of this from the perspective of journalists and journalism, not from the perspective of random people who are propelled into the position of being witnesses to a newsworthy event.

“Maybe I’m old fashioned, but I think journalists get in trouble when they try to wear two hats at the same time. You are either being a journalist or you are working as a ski photographer. You are either being a journalist or you are working as a search-and-rescue specialist.

“… I don’t think you’ll get many journalists who agree that it is a journalistic suppression when the employers of Odom and Romeo gave them the boot. I could be wrong — I’ll be interested in the reaction you get.”