- A Clash of Definitions: YouTube personalities, with a combined audience surpassing major news networks, intervened in a U.S. District Court, challenging a DOJ motion to silence free press. At the core of this debate, who is “press” in the digital age?
- Undermining Independent Journalism: The government’s stance is to diminish independent digital reporters, especially on YouTube, with the Assistant U.S. Attorney calling them “YouTube Personalities.” The brief argues that the 1st Amendment protects all individuals disseminating information, not just failing mainstream media.
- Potential Legal Precedent: Not just a disagreement between a journalist & a Fed Attorney; it reflects the changing landscape of journalism in the digital age & might redefine First Amendment protections.
In a significant move symbolizing the clash between traditional media and the rising tide of independent journalists, a group of “YouTube Personalities“, who together command an audience numbering in the millions, have filed an amicus curiae brief in a U.S. District Court in Florida.
Eric Blandford – “Iraqveteran8888”
Paul Glasco – “Legally Armed America”
Jared Yanis – “Guns and Gadgets 2nd Amendment News”
Hank Strange- @hankstrange
Patrick James – “Baby Face P”
Tim Harmsen – “Military Arms Channel”
Clint Morgan – ClassicFirearms
John Mullally – “KB32 Tactical”
Micah Young – “2a Edu”
John Correia – “Active Self Protection”
Mark Davis – “DLD After Dark”
Kenneth Graham – “Marine Gun Builder”
Scott Wilson – “Drop It Like It’s Scott”
Curtis Hallstrom-“VSO Gun Channel”
Mark Dickinson-“James Madison Audits”
1Joel Persinger- “GunGuyTV”
John Keys and Shermichael Singleton- “GunsOutTV”
Their contention? Defending their First Amendment right to free press.
These YouTubers are seeking the court’s permission to weigh in on AmmoLand News journalist John Crump’s emergency motion to intervene against a gag effort by U.S. Attorney to silence free press.
This move is particularly important as Crump is challenging the U.S. government’s motion which calls for prohibiting the dissemination of a Presentence Investigation Report (PSR). However, behind this legal jargon lies a broader fight about who gets to be considered a member of the “press” in today’s digital age.
The amici curiae, which translates to “friends of the court,” are essentially individuals not directly involved in a case but believe they have relevant insights that could aid the court’s decision-making. The Youtube collective, which includes independent video journalists reporting on issues like the Second Amendment, government misconduct, and the right to bear arms, has a substantial following. In fact, their combined viewership reportedly dwarfs the primetime audience of major news networks.
But why is this case so crucial for these digital influencers? It’s because the government, in its move, has made an implicit suggestion, downplaying the significance of independent reporters, particularly those who operate on Google’s Youtube platform and who don’t associate with mainstream media. This belittling by Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Laura Cofer Taylor goes to the extent of referring to them as mere “YouTube Personalities.”
However, as the brief argues (embedded below), the First Amendment’s protection of the freedom of the press doesn’t just cater to the aging mainstream media outlets but to anyone engaged in the act of information dissemination. This is particularly significant in a world where the lines between professional journalists and citizen reporters are increasingly blurring.
Click the link to read the whole article: Creators File Court Brief in FREE Press Fight
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