Posted on the California Progress Report a few minutes ago.
By Frank D. Russo
Infamous Scribbler
Let me get a scoop out on a story about me, although it's a story about a larger issue and one that will continue to develop.
I have just been approved by the Capitol Correspondents Association of California and I am the first "blogger" credentialed to cover the California legislature with their blessing
This came as an e mail late last night after I submitted the new application form indicating that my site was a start up business and although I had earned income in for the form of advertising revenue and donations, they were exceeded by expenses. California Progress Report
Mr. Russo:
It is my pleasure to inform you that you have become the first blogger credentialed with the blessing of the Capitol Correspondents Association of California. Thanks for the letters of clarification that easily enabled this, under our new application and bylaws for srutinizing bloggers, and welcome aboard.
Regards,
Steve Geissinger
CCAC president
I have sent the following reply:
What a nice surprise as I am getting the page up for the morning.
I look forward to working with all to develop a better standard for media credentialing in this changing world and view this as a two way street.
I've actually had a press pass for the last legislative session and more recently have been able to attend press conferences and floor sessions, and to continue experiencing first hand the going on under the Capitol Dome with a media credential issued day to day.
The last time I was in Sacramento, I received a call on my cell phone from fellow blogger/reporter Robert Salladay of the LA Times saying I "had been sighted" in the Assembly Chambers and asking if I was using my credential from last year. I advised him that I was working on a "day pass" like "an itinerant worker."
Perhaps now my sightings will not be news and I can get back to writing news and opinion, after having followed what Scoop Nisker used to say in the 70's on KSAN radio: "If you don't like the news, go out and make some of your own."
I put "blogger" in quotes because with the changing times the distinctions between journalism, columnists, and the new media on the internet are becoming blurred.
"Infamous Scribblers" is a new book by Eric Burns on "The Founding Fathers and the Rowdy Beginnings of American Journalism." The circle is now unbroken.
For a prior article see "Important First Amendment Considerations on Press Credentials to Cover the California Legislature""Important First Amendment Considerations on Press Credentials to Cover the California Legislature".