blogger's rights comprimised.

The French government passed legislation yesterday banning citizen journalists from taking pictures or video of acts of violence. French authorities are policing the web and mobile phone services for images and video of violent acts captured by non-professional journalists.

Offenders can face up to five years impriosnment and a fine of up to €75,000 (US$98,537)!!

The law was passed, I'm sure, to protect bloggers from harm. But, censoring an unestablished community of citizen journalists is ludicrous. The internet should always remain a platform for free speech.

The question now is: will the law be enforced? How will French authorities determine what is an act of violence, who qualifies as a professional journalist, and most importantly how will they track down those who post acts of violence anonymously?

Also, don't forget that the French press is government regulated. How will the French people receive unfiltered, unbiased news? The mainstream media is censored and now so is the blogosphere.

The irony of the situation is that the bill was passed on the 16th anniversary of the Rodney King beating which was documented and convicted solely by citizen journalist footage.

(Source, MacWorld)