Are Bloggers Reporters, Too?

A news analysis in today's New York Times revolves around a suit Apple Computer filed in California over what it calls its trade secrets being disclosed on several blogs. California has a shield law that protects journalists from having to disclose their sources, and the question here is whether that law extends to bloggers.

The Times quotes a law professor who points out that blogs have more "circulation," or readership, than some small-town newspapers. So how can a distinction be drawn?

Not every state protects reporters from having to disclose sources, but the coming court decision will be interesting on principle. Is a blogger a legitimate reporter under the law? Can any blogger claim reporter status or will he or she need to meet some standard?

I have little doubt that at least some bloggers should be considered reporters, and I'd be surprised if the court found otherwise. But whatever decision, this is another example of how the web is transforming the war of ideas.