I was reading this article who was commenting on a New York Times Article about Charles LeBlanc. The blogger commenting expressed that it was a victory for common sense. I agree. I think it also some very good news.
Charles LeBlanc does a blog that covers many protest. According to the times article:
"For the last two years, Mr. LeBlanc has been expressing his views on poverty and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder through a blog."
It seems that Charles was arrested while trying to cover a protest and "journalist" nearby were not.
To make the whole story short and sweet. The court ruled that Charles was acting as a journalist. Better said, is a journalist. It seems that even police read Chales' blog to follow protest.
The judge said:
" Members of the so called mainstream media were taking photographs and filming in the same area without interference from the police,” the judge wrote in a 20-page decision. “I believe it’s fair to say that the defendant was doing nothing wrong at the time he was approached by Sergeant Parks and placed under arrest. He was simply plying his trade, gathering photographs and information for his blog alongside other reporters. "
There is more to it than that though. The police don't just read his blog... some of them testified.
" Officers from the Saint John police testified they are regular readers of Mr. LeBlanc’s blog as part of their effort to gather intelligence on protests. William J. McCarroll, the provincial court judge who heard Mr. LeBlanc’s case, wrote in his decision that "Mr. LeBlanc is a ' blogger.' I’m sure that many, if not the majority of Saint Johners, are not familiar with this word." "
The judge also said that the police had no right to erase a photo on his camera. The police are also going to investigate Charles' complaint. That is about it for what the times said. But there is more news on the topic. You will find it at a blog.
Charles has been interviewed and, more to come on this one, he is meeting with the Police Chief.
I hope I am not alone in seeing the poetic irony in all of this. I have not quoted Charles' blog intentionally. I want you to go and read it. It is journalism. His blog has more current information on this topic than the Times. Of course, considering the special niche of his reporting, that makes sense. That is more than just common sense it is good sense.
