Bloggers gain access to "Scooter" Libby trial

[sabra]

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=internetNews&storyID=2007-01-11T175247Z_01_N11421463_RTRUKOC_0_US-MEDIA-COURTS-BLOGS.xml&WTmodLoc=InternetNewsHome_C1_%5BFeed%5D-2

Bloggers gain access to "Scooter" Libby trial


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Internet bloggers will be allowed to cover the criminal trial of former White House staffer Lewis "Scooter" Libby alongside reporters from traditional media outlets, a court spokesman said on Thursday.

Members of a bloggers' association will share at least two seats during the high-profile trial in which Libby's former boss, Vice President Dick Cheney, is expected to testify, said Sheldon Snook, a spokesman for the U.S. District Court in Washington.

The arrangement is believed to be a first for a high-profile court case, although trade shows and political conventions have issued media passes to bloggers in the past several years.

"Bloggers are part of the media landscape and if we were to ignore bloggers, we would be ignoring reality," Snook said.

Blogging access will be restricted to members of the Media Blogging Association, a trade group that provides legal advice and promotes increased access for its 1,000 members.

[Lautremont]

1. For a guy called Sheldon Snook, he makes a lot of sense.

I wish he'd spoken that in rhyme, though, like any good Dr. Seuss character.

[cspanlovr]

2. LOL! Indeed.

[DoYouEverWonder]

3. That's great news

I can't wait to read their reports.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

4. Hopefully Jason Leopold Isn't One Of Them....

Just sayin'

[sabra]

5. interesting you mention that...

from the article:

<snip>

Blogger Jason Leopold, writing for the left-leaning blog truthout.org, reported last May that White House top political adviser Karl Rove had been indicted as part of the investigation and planned to resign.

Rove's lawyer said no indictment had been served, and several weeks later said Rove was cleared by Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald.

Leopold is not a member of the Media Bloggers Association, Cox said.

[G Hawes]

9. Ouch

that's gonna leave a mark. the whole leopold saga was bad enough but being specifically named in a story like this in the context of "don't worry, he's not a member" is a pretty huge putdown of leopold and truthout.

[pennylane100]

6. I hope somebody from Firedog Lake is there.

They have covered this trial extensively.

[NastyRiffraff]

7. Both Jane and Christy will be there...

from Firedoglake.

[pennylane100]

10. That is terrific.

We can expect lots of interesting reading about the trial. They amaze me with the hard work they have done in background for this trial. I look forward to following it at their site.

[G Hawes]

8. That's great!

looking forward to reading the blogger accounts, especially FDL.

[Missy Vixen]

11. Be sure to visit FDL over the next several days

In the trial run-up, one of their posters (a law professor and former prosecutor,) is giving tutorials on various features of federal trials daily. It's interesting and informative. Her first two subjects? Voir dire and opening statements.

Julie

[Toots]

12. Drudge will be there I'm sure

And any other right wing loonies they can Drudge up...