- The Washington Times - Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin pondered the constitutional protections that are afforded bloggers, wondering in a recent media appearance whether media shield laws apply to this type of journalist.

Mr. Durbin said to Fox News host Chris Wallace that he doubted whether bloggers, or “someone who is Tweeting,” should be given media shield rights. He also said he was reluctant to request an outside special counsel look into the Associated Press snooping charges swirling around Department of Justice Attorney General Eric Holder, Breitbart reported.

Mr. Durbin said, Breitbart reported: “Here is the bottom line – the media shield law, which I am prepared to support … still leaves an unanswered question, which I have raised many times: What is a journalist today in 2013? We know it’s someone that works for Fox or AP, but does it include a blogger? Does it include someone who is tweeting? Are these people journalists and entitled to constitutional protection?”

Mr. Durbin said a need existed to “ask 21st century questions about a provision in our Constitution that was written over 200 years ago,” but he did not offer solutions, or clarifications, Breitbart reported.

• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.

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