The new FTC regulation of bloggers promoting or criticizing products is clearly government intrusion on free speech, and I hope it’s overturned quickly by some smart White House lawyer with more sense than the FTC commissioners. Most bloggers, as media critic Jeff Jarvis says, don’t think they’re doing anything remotely connected with journalism–which, in any case, isn’t included in the regulation. Indeed, keeping a pubescent diary about one’s precious kitties and opining which cat food is best obviously shouldn’t be within government’s jurisdiction.
Even I know the difference between what Antique Media does and what I do here. The FTC apparently doesn’t. Or else, typical of government, just lusts for more power. This time they bent the Constitution. The shocking part is that the FTC has never regulated Antique Media in this regard–making me suspect that this reg has to do with AM’s and politicians’ upset at blogger analysis and attacks. Wisconsin law professor Ann Althouse notes the FTC’s plan for selective enforcement of its regulation will make the assault even more egregious. Because it won’t be against the young cat food endorser. I thought attacks on our freedom were supposed to have ended with Obamalot.
THE TEXAS SCRIBBLER 