Michigan State Senator Introduces Bill to License Journalists

Michigan State Senator Bruce Patterson (R-Wayne County) has introduced SB 1323, to set up procedures for Michigan to license journalists. Senator Patterson says auto mechanics and hairdressers are licensed, so why not journalists? Applicants would be required to be of “good moral character”, and would pay a license fee after qualifying. This is not really election law news, but it bears slightly on the ongoing public debate about whether campaign finance laws should be restrictive or libertarian. Many people are passionately opposed to letting corporations engage in political speech, but they always wish to exempt newspaper and broadcast corporations. SB 1323 is a reminder that it is always possible for governments to think about treating journalists as just another group to be regulated and controlled. However, no one expects SB 1323 to be enacted. Thanks to Jim Bopp for this news.


Comments

Michigan State Senator Introduces Bill to License Journalists — 6 Comments

  1. always being careful what to wish BUT — yes, license the MSM OBITS and the anti-american anti-nbc-constitutional-eligibility bloggers — and all those of both major “parties” who “fixed” the 2008 POTUS election via two manchurian candidates — one being the undocumented alien CINC BO, and send them to Canada or wherever.

    http://www.jrank.org/history/pages/7569/Loyalist-tradition.html

  2. How about licences (or perhaps cages) for party hack MORONS (with their ANTI-Democracy EVIL control freak characters) like P. ???

    Would King George III have loved to have party hack stooges like P. around in 1775-1776 ???

    P.R. and App.V. — to end the EVIL rule of MONSTERS like P.

    Counting the days until Prop. 14 D-Day in CA — D for DOOM of the party hacks.

  3. This could be the beginning of the end for all government licensure. If this bill becomes law and then is overturned as a violation of the First Amendment it could provide the basis to stop government from regulating taxis and barbers and health care professionals. *sigh* It won’t happen but what the hell… one can dream!

  4. One note: Patterson is term-limited, having served two terms in the State Senate. (There have been noises in the past that he might try to get the GOP state convention’s nod as the Republican nominee for attorney general, but I think those noises may not have been so loud lately.)

  5. Pingback: Michigan: Senate Bill 1323, "Michigan Registered Reporter" | Coffee House Poetry

  6. Dear Sir,

    What part of the First Amendment do you not understand? There is no need for legal opinions … it is very clear.

    THE BILL OF RIGHTS
    Amendments 1-10 of the Constitution

    Amendment I
    Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

    If the US Congress does not have the right or legal ability to do this what makes you think that you have the right?

    You should be ashamed of yourself for committing such an unconstitutional act.

    You can’t be serious!
    Duane Graham

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