Copyright Law

New Hampshire to Stop Issuing ID Cards to Journalists

By David Ardia

The Associated Press is reporting that New Hampshire will no longer issue identification cards to journalists. According to a report in Seacoastonline:

The man who handled the chore ? Jim Van Dongen of the state Department of Safety ? says the decision is based on the proliferation of online and specialty news outlets and technology that allows just about anyone to call himself a journalist. Van Dongen says that put him and his bosses in the uncomfortable position of issuing cards to all comers or having to decide who is a legitimate journalist.

This change is largely symbolic, however, as event organizers usually issue their own credentials to journalists and don't rely on the state to determine who should get a press pass.

Full post as published by Citizen Media Law Project on January 17, 2008 (boomark / email).