Month: May 2007 (Page 5 of 5)

The story began on February 27^th, when I've applied to the press office of Lithuanian Parliament for the accreditation as a journalist. Decision was negative, therefore on Thursday (April 26^th) I've initiated the case in Vilnius regional administrative court. A short overview of discussed question is presented here in English.

I ask the court: to state that a journalist can make a contract with any mass media entity in electronic form (i.e. – there is no specific requirement for a paper version); to state that my activities in collecting, preparing and publicizing public information in my blog fits into the definition of „journalist“; to oblige press office of Lithuanian Parliament to give me accreditation and corresponding rights.

My position is based on several arguments (full text and details – above in Lithuanian):

• the essence of media accreditation process;
• range of subjects, who are entitle to the right of self-expression (freedom of speech, free speech in US under I^st amendment);
• definition of „journalist“ in Law on Provision of Information to the Public;
• requirement of „professional basis“;
• form of a contract between natural person and mass media entity;
• position of the Lithuanian journalists' ethics inspector.

P.S. (for English readers) – please do not hesitate to comment or email me in case any specific details would help you to understand better the latest situation.