Corante

CONTRIBUTORS

Denise Howell Denise Howell
( Profile | Archive )

Dennis M. Kennedy Dennis M. Kennedy
( Profile | Archive )

Tom Mighell Tom Mighell
( Profile | Archive )

Marty Schwimmer Marty Schwimmer
( Profile | Archive )

Ernest Svenson Ernest Svenson
( Profile | Archive )

Denise Howell is a seasoned appellate and intellectual property litigator based in Los Angeles. Denise writes one of the first and most popular law-related blogs, Bag and Baggage, coined the term "blawg" and helped pioneer podcasting for lawyers. Microcontent obsessed since 2001, she is frequently quoted in the media on legal issues involving intellectual property and technology law. "Sound Policy" is Denise's show at IT Conversations, and it's also what she hopes results from the briefs she submits to court. Email Denise at dhowell@gmail.com.

Dennis Kennedy is a computer lawyer and legal technology expert based in St. Louis, Missouri. An award-winning author, a frequent speaker and a widely-read blogger, he has more than 300 publications on legal, technology and Internet topics, many of which are collected in his e-books. Dennis has been described as someone who knows almost every rock song in existence and, more importantly, how they apply to technology and law. Email Dennis at his gmail address.

Tom Mighell is Senior Counsel and Litigation Technology Support Coordinator at Cowles & Thompson in Dallas. He has published the Internet Legal Research Weekly newsletter since 2000 and blogged about the Internet and legal technology at Inter Alia since August of 2002. With Tom's singing, Ernie on guitar and Dennis' encylopedic knowledge of rock music, we may have the beginnings of a good band, if this whole blog thing doesn't work out. Email Tom at tmighell@swbell.net.

Marty Schwimmer left a partnership in the largest trademark practice in the world and founded Schwimmer Mitchell, a full-service IP micro-boutique in Westchester County, New York, where he represents owners of famous and not yet famous trademarks. He founded The Trademark Blog, the first IP law blog and the one with the most pictures. He is the first to come in and the last to leave in his firm. Email Marty at marty@schwimmerlegal.com.

Ernest Svenson practices law with a mid-sized law firm in New Orleans, specializing in business-related lawsuits. Most of his practice takes place in federal court, especially the Eastern District. He is best known for his weblog Ernie the Attorney, which he started as an experiment. Like many experiments it got out of control. Nevertheless, he continues to practice law and, occasionally, to seek enlightenment. Email Ernest at esvenson@gmail.com.
About this blog
Between Lawyers provides just-in-time group commentary on the issues raised when technology, culture and the law intersect. We take you behind the firewalls and conference room doors to show you how experienced lawyers deal with these issues and help you prepare for the new challenges we all face. For more, see our introductory post.
Just Released the 2008 Tribalization of Business study - an in-depth look at how 140+ organizations are managing and measuring online communities

Between Lawyers

« Re: Blogging Policies - Not Only Legal Issues, Part 2 | Main | Hacking The Law »

April 14, 2005

Blog Censorship Gains Support - Or Maybe We Should Read Survey Results More Carefully

Email This Entry

Posted by Dennis M. Kennedy

The News.com headline screams: "Blogging Censorship Gains Support." The summary says: "Most Americans believe bloggers should not be allowed to publish sensitive personal information about individuals, according to a new survey."

As I read more, I see that the story is based on a survey conducted by a web hosting company. That's right, a web hosting company. No mention of the scientific validity of the survey.

While only 30% of the respondents had actually visited a blog and 1/3 had not even heard of blogs, 70 - 80% of respondents were in favor of limitations on blogging content.

Most importantly, "the survey revealed bloggers are not taken as seriously as traditional media."

I wonder if the survey results reflect the effects of a steady diet of traditional media stories.

While I don't know whether to laugh or cry when I see this kind of stuff, I do know that we are increasingly likely to see efforts to regulate blogging because of stories and headlines like these.

I am convinced that there is no more important skill to teach our children than the ability to read critically.

Comments (2) + TrackBacks (0) | Category: Blogging Legal Developments


COMMENTS

1. david giacalone on April 15, 2005 9:18 AM writes...

should be taken as seriously as traditional media -- at least by people skilled in critical reading.

Permalink to Comment

2. david giacalone on April 15, 2005 2:49 PM writes...

I just noticed that my earlier Comment was truncated. It should read something like: Dennis, there's no reason that the vast majority of weblogs should be treated as seriously as the traditional media by people who engage in critical reading. Their writers do not intend nor (usually) pretend to be serious sources of news and commentary.

Permalink to Comment

POST A COMMENT




Remember Me?



EMAIL THIS ENTRY TO A FRIEND

Email this entry to:

Your email address:

Message (optional):




RELATED ENTRIES
New NY Advertising Rules Are Out There
(Head)Hunting Season
Best Wishes for 2007!
Legal Services and the LongTail
New Bar Blogging Policy Emphasizes Cluefulness, Participation
Disturbing Study on Treatment of Minority Female Lawyers
Are Blawgs Dead?
The Gospel of Blawging