Bloggers Rights

Do blogger have the same legal rights as journalist? Not according to one federal judge in Portland, OR. In a report by Graeme McMillan, “Judge Marco Hernandez ruled that “blogging does not, in fact, equal journalism, and that bloggers do not necessarily deserve of the moral and legal protections that ‘real’ journalists are given.”

Federal Court Building in Wilmington, Delaware Photo taken by Shereen Williams

Local bloggers were surprised to find out that there is a legal difference between the two. However, bloggers and journalists have many characteristics in common. For example, both have the right to apply for a press pass, which allows all-access into an event. This pass is needed to cover newsworthy stories. Bloggers are a part of the press and are great news sources. Attaining press passes to cover news events is really easy.  Bloggers, photographers, videographers, writers and journalists can be approved for press passes to an event. There is an application process that needs to be followed.

IFNM reported, "To obtain a press pass you will need to contact the organizers of the event approximately 6-8 weeks in advance and follow their required protocol. 
The earlier you submit the media request form, the greater your chances of obtaining accreditation (Your Press Pass / Press Credentials for the event). 
Journalists requesting media credentials must pre-register and collect their badges before entering the Press Office / Registration desk. 

You can usually find the contact online. Please visit the event organizers website and locate the contact information for the organizers press relations department. If no press contact information is listed on their website or they do not have a website, please call any number you can find which is associated with the event and ask for the individual handling media relations for the event you want to cover.”

In a face-to-face interview with a Wilmington, Delaware blogger Terica Price described her experience in recently applying for press passes for the Essence Music festival in New Orleans. “As a new blogger I was so excited to find out that blogger have the opportunity to apply for press credentials? I personally completed the online application that would give me complete press access at the entire Essence Music Festival. They requested detailed information concerning my blog. They was very interested in the blog they asked about the blog the name web address and the numbers of following. I completed the full media application, however the application was a day late. I assumed that the press pass was approved for all access media passes. I was sadly mistaken. Once I arrived to the event my name wasn’t on any list in the building. After they looked for my name for fifteen minutes and didn’t find my name anywhere. They asked me did I have any press any press credentials from my place of employment. I reply “NO”. They explain that my registration was late, however if you had your person media credentials they would of honor the press pass. Than I asked her how do I apply for the credential she stated, at this time they only honoring credential from individuals that actual work with press companies as journalist with identification. In the future get regerstation in on time to be considered.  She stated, that I had to pay just like general public for every event.

Local Blogger Terica Price In New Orleans  Photo Taken by Shereen Williams

Then they asked me to leave the building immediately for security purposes.

Price totally understands the legal standing between a blogger and journalist. However this will not stop her from apply for media passes. In the future I complete information request with in 6-8 weeks in advance. In addition I will request written confirmation before attending any media events. However I didn’t let this situation discourage me from reporting on my blog. Since than I covered mainstream concerts, major news events and high fashion runway shows in NYC.I may not be protected by the “Shield Law” however I am a reliable new source and apart of the media ” (T. Price, Personal Communication, August 14, 2012)

New Orleans Bourbon Live Rhythm &Soul of Nola Sign  no press pass needed to enter
Photo taken by Shereen Williams

Terica Price at the Eagles Training camp
Photo taken By Shereen Williams

Major Gag Orders

Gag orders are very important in many court cases. This order keeps the legal process confidential and safe. This does limits the role of journalist, however it should give them more creativity on how to report the story around the actual gag order. While reviewing gag orders there were high profile cases that stood out: Michael Jackson and the New York murder cases. 

In a report by Lee Ross of Fox News, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge, Michael Pastor, placed a gag order on both the prosecution and defense team of Dr. Conrad Murray against any public discussion of the ongoing case. Any breach of this order would be subject to contempt charges and other sanctions.  While the gag order did limit Dr. Murray from talking to the press, it was nearly impossible to keep the story out of national headlines. Journalists simply got more creative on their reporting of this high-profile story.

The public records indicated that "The Venezuelan judge issues gag order in high-profile murder case in New York, January 25, 2006. The Committee to Protect Journalists Condemns a Caracas judge's decision to issue a gag order prohibiting news outlets from reporting on the investigation into the 2004 murder of prosecutor Danilo Anderson.”

Future Lawyer Deja Woodard Under Gag Order
Photo taken by Shereen Williams 

According to the CPJ  “Judge Florencio Silano, acting at the request of Attorney General Isaías Rodríguez, barred the "publishing, spreading or exposition" of any information about the Anderson case. Among other things, Rodríguez said he wanted to protect the prosecution's primary witness, Giovanny Vásquez de Armas, from what he called a media campaign of harassment and psychological pressure.”

CPJ Executive Director Ann Cooper said. “This gag order is a shocking attack on press freedom and the right to information of all Venezuelan citizens, “We urge the prosecutor to withdraw his request, which actively suppresses these human rights." However this request was denied.

During a face-to-face interview with Helen Carson a retired Delawarean investigator said, “I agree that in the Anderson and Jackson cases the gag order was appropriate. Carson believes strongly in the legal system. Witness that are testifying need to be protected,so justice can be served. In early 1980’s I was involved in a high profiled fraud case and it involved several major executives from huge banking firms. The Delaware Judge ordered a temporary gag order to all legal participating parties including the defendants. I was a new investigator in my professional career. This order only lasted two weeks, however this felt like a lifetime. This case was transferred to United States District Court for the District in Delaware due to the severity of the case. However I stayed in compliance with the order.” (H. Carson, personal communication, August 09, 2012).

United States District Court In Wilmington, Delaware
Photo taken by Shereen Williams 

Anyone's Privacy can be Invaded

When someone says ”What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” What comes to mine? The initial thoughts were confidentiality or privacy. While talking with people in my local community there was discussions surrounding major celebrities and there privacy. However the celebrity’s weren’t the only victim’s of privacy invaded many community members spoke out. However there has been local cases of emails hacking and peeping toms that videotaping through windows.

Shereen Williams at a Eagles VIP event keep every confidential No videos camera were allowed on the players to keep their plays confidential

A Middletown, Delaware 40-year-old woman states that, “My personal email was hacked and all identifying information was stolen. My money was stolen out of her account and credit cards were opened her name. I felt totally violated. When I became aware that someone was invading privacy notified the local police depart and filed charges. I became very familiar with the tort for invasion of privacy laws and identify theft laws in Delaware. I currently run a class at the local YMCA that Protect Your Identity” She stated the things I have done to protect myself are, I currently change my email passwords every three months and I place uppercase and lowercase letters in her password this cause its harder to break”.

Shereen Williams changing all passwords to emails and social web sites

The state of Delaware recognizes the common-law tort for invasion of privacy, which provides that one who invades the right of privacy of another is subject to liability for the resulting harm to the interests of the other person. Four separate claims compose this tort, and Delaware recognizes all four claims (Beckett v. Trice, C.A. No. 92C-08-029 (Del. Super. Ct. 1994).

The right of privacy is invaded by:

• Unreasonable intrusions upon the seclusion of others;

• Appropriating another name or likeness;

• Giving unreasonable publicity to another private life; or

• Using publicity that unreasonably places another in a false light before the public.

State law prohibits the unauthorized interception of wire, oral, and electronic communications, with certain specific exceptions. Anyone who willfully commits an interception, attempts to commit an interception, or procures another person to commit or attempt an interception of any wire, oral, or electronic communication may be punished with fines and imprisonment. The law further prohibits disclosing or using the communication that was obtained illegally.

Exceptions. Although there are several exceptions to this law, the exceptions most relevant to employers are the consent exception and the “ordinary course of business” exception. Under the consent exception, it is lawful to intercept a communication in which the person is a party to the communication, or one of the parties to the communication has given prior consent to the interception. To fall within the ordinary course of business exception, the employer must be a provider of a wire or electronic communications service.

Reality Star Shanda Freemen left and Shereen Williams right  discussing the rights to her promotional video be posted on a blog

Reality Star Shanda Freemen left and Shereen Williams right  discussing the rights to her promotional video be posted on a blog

Geragos a celebrity attorney, "he has helped to settle a $2.5 million lawsuit against the owner of a charter jet company that is now defunct. The company reportedly recorded Geragos and his attorney partner along with Michael Jackson as the group flew from Las Vegas to Santa Barbara. The flight occurred when Jackson was going to turn himself in because of child molestation charges. In 2010, a $20 million award to the attorneys was thrown out by an appeals court, which then offered to give the attorneys $750,000. Kabateck said that he was happy with the amount of the settlement and would strongly work to collect all of it. He also said that the amount of the settlement would hopefully send a strong message to others trying to do such a thing".

"Borer and one of his associates pled guilty to conspiracy almost two years ago in the case of videotaping Jackson and his two lawyers. Jackson was later acquitted of the 14 charges against him in the case. The lawyer for Borer, Hirschbaum, claims that Geragos and Harris did not have any damages that could be proven. Instead, the settlement helped all involve stay away from a three or four day retrial of the case. The invasion of privacy lawsuit was filed against Borer and XtraJet in November of 2003 by Geragos, Harris and Jackson. Jackson removed himself as a plaintiff in April of 2005”.

The Delaware laws are very clear when it come to invasion of privacy. In the Jackson case it proved that Mr. Jackson was truly a victim of invasion of privacy. This predator was exposed and tried and fined heavily. This case should be a model to all present to all journalists. This action will cause journalist to think and ask for permission before you posting questionable footage.

Biggz from the Dynamic Concepts Tells the Story

Mr. Biggs is the local tennis instructor in my community. He is is know as a community leader. On Friday July 27,2012, during general conversation Mr. Biggz revealed that he is an original member of the “Dynamic Concepts”. Arthur Woodard is his birth name, but we all know him as “Biggz”. He is known in the music industry as the lead guitar player in the group entitled “Dynamic Concepts”. The native Delawarean man was born on September 3^rd 1951 in Wilmington, Delaware. The group did international tour with Edwin Star.

The group Dynamic Concepts was formed in 1965.He was only 12 years old. The original group had eight members. The Dynamic Concepts consisted of eight African American and Hispanic band members from Wilmington Delaware. (Please See Photo Below):

Photo Taken By Andrew Young

 Top Right Greg Davis next him Samuel James (back round singer Trumpet) Ronald Reed (Drums), top right James Johnson (Singer, Saxophone, Flute), bottom Left James Bayard (Trumpet), Frank Clark (bass guitar) Raufeia Coullezo (Congo’s and back round vocals) Ronal Jackson (Drums) and Bottom right Arthur Woodard Biggz (Lead Guitar).

SW asked: When did your parents find out that you had a talent of playing the guitar well?

Biggz stated “That his parents never knew that he would take playing the guitar so serious. They realized that he a great talent when people in the community came back and told his parents how amazing he was playing that guitar at a local festival.

SW asked:  Where did you hold practices and how often?

Biggz stated: “In 1965 the group started we practiced at Ronald Ridgeway’s house on 218 N Harrison street in Wilmington, Delaware twice a week. Music was there form of expressing themself and keeping out of the local prisons.  The local community respected the band members, to the point where they were able to enter any part of the city and there was no physical altercation.

By the 1970 they we were intensely increase there scheduled practices to five days a week for 8-to10 hour per day. These intensive practices session placed them on the stage with groups such as: New Birth, Ojays, The Spinners Kool and the Gang etc. They performed at the Uptown Theater, DuPont Hotel and Manhattan Center just to name a few locations. They were being recognized all over the east coast however they wanted a broader audience.

Actual Performace List From a show list 

Compose by Charles E.McManus

The Big Break For the Dynamic Concepts

Biggz said: “In 1973, the eight-member group fly out to Los Angles California with a dream to become famous musicians. We rented two-bed room apartment that was share amongst eight men. We immediately stated pick up odd jobs and rehearsed at the Musician Union in Hollywood, CA. This was a studio where major musicians rehearsed. It was nothing to see groups such as Earth Wind and Fire, Jonie Mitchell and Mandrill rehearsing at this studio”.

 In the mean time we were performing at small clubs in LA area. After a year of playing in small clubs in LA. They had a huge breakthrough they connected with Lillian Kyle who was Edwin Starr manger. The Dynamic Concept’s and Lillian and Edwin Star scheduled a meeting in South Pasadena where they were rehearsing. After the rehearsal Mr. Starr offered the Dynamic Concepts to play musical back round for his up and coming International tour with Betty Wright, Arthur Connelly and Edwin Star. The group agreed to the offer and got their passports and they were on their way to South Africa.

                                                                                                                Copyrights Edwin Stars music and back round vocal done by Dynamic Concepts Inc.

The group stayed at the Laundress hotel in South Africa. The tour lasted six weeks in South Africa. Than this opened up door so they stared performing at bigger vineyards in the United States. The relationship between Dynamic Concepts and Mr. Edwin Starr developed to the point where they were actual friends with Edwin Starr. The Dynamic Concepts on the album “Stay with me” they did all back round vocals and all musical arrangements on this album”.

The Downward Spiral of the Dynamic Concepts:

Biggz stated: “In 1976, there were some group members that partnered with producers in the UK. The business deal consisted of 18 original tunes from the Dynamic Concepts Inc. The rights to the tunes were sold. However the entire band member wasn’t included in this initial deal. All band   members were not compensated concerning this business deal. This decision cause serious chaos with in the group. Shortly after the group broke up.

 In March 1976 Biggz received a call from Delaware stating that his father had pass away. During the funeral Biggz made the decision that he was going to stay in Delaware to start a normal life with his wife and children”. He briefly joined another group Name “Time Space Continues” this was a shortly lived membership.  Since then he has been divorced twice. Biggz is now singing in a group name “Alice’s Voice” at Second Presbyterian Church in West Chester, PA.  He is totally comfortable in his music career now.

The Pill That Prevents HIV

 

Al Jazeera's Gerald Tan reports

On Monday July 18,2012 in Washington, DC a representative from the FDA confirmed that FDA approved a once-a-day pill that can drastically lower the risk of contracting the HIV virus. The name of the medication is called Truvada it’s first HIV virus prevention pill. This medication is not cheap the pill's annual cost ranges from just under $11,000 up to $14,000. It's not clear what insurers will pay for it. As a surviving family member of an uncle who lost his life in 1994 to AIDS related complications. I totally endorse and support Truvada. It’s a break through in modern science and it will save many lives.

The FDA previously approved Truvada to be used in combination such as with other antiretroviral Emtriva^® (emtricitabine 200 mg) and Viread^® (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg), agents for the treatment of HIV-infected adults and children 12 years or older. This medication is to be taken once a day with or without food.

Bottles of antiretroviral drug Truvada, the first approved by the FDA to prevent HIV infection
Photo Illustration by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images.

TRUVADA blocks the action of a protein that HIV needs to infect your body

• TRUVADA does not cure HIV or AIDS.
• TRUVADA alone may not keep you from getting HIV.
• If you have HIV infection, you may still get other infections that happen in people with HIV like TB (tuberculosis) or fungus, while taking TRUVADA.

As a HIV advocate with an organization called Each One Teach One in Wilmington, Delaware. Individuals that are at high risk for the HIV virus will benefit from the daily dosage of Travade. If the medication is taken daily it will cut the risk of receiving a positive HIV results by 90%. However all other prevention measures must stay in place so this medication will be effective.

The other option is to remain giving positive HIV results. This is a complicated situation for a medical provider. To reveal a positive HIV result is not an easy task to conquer. Throughout the initial assessment the medical professional will retrieve personal information to identify all risk factors that is associated with the persons life style. Once an individual is diagnosed with HIV the objective of the provider to educate and decrease the risk factors of the individual transmitting this virus to someone else.

The medical provider must be trained to give accurate information about prevention and services. However you must properly educate the individual with the appropriate up to date medical treatment/medication of current HIV treatment clinics. No matter how many years you have been doing HIV counseling it is never easy to give a positive HIV result.

There are worries that people taking the pill might relax safe-sex precautions. But health officials hope the pill will help reduce the number of Americans who get HIV every year — a figure that has hovered around 50,000 for years. While it sounds simple, the new prevention strategy involves a bunch of complicated issues

Dr. Ashraf Grimwood, he’s concern that there could be serious negative consequences if Truvada starts being used as an HIV prevention pill. Truvada currently is part of the primary drug regimen in South Africa to treat HIV. Doctors here say Truvada has far fewer side effects than most other AIDS drugs but it still has some. Dr. Ashraf Grimwood, a longtime AIDS activist based in Cape Town and now the head of Kheth'lmpilo, says, “He's already seeing decreased kidney function among some HIV-positive patients who take Truvada.  It’s unclear what the long-term effect would be of putting healthy people on Truvada, but he worries that it could cause more kidney failure.

Jim Pickett says, that he has had the AIDS virus since 1995. He says had no complications. Side effects from long-term use are unclear, but some of the more serious complications linked with Truvada include kidney and liver problems. The potential for those problems shouldn't be dismissed, but it's not a reason to reject using the drug for prevention, said Pickett, whose group is not affiliated with the San Francisco foundation. For some people, the risk of kidney problems "10 years down the line may be less than the risk for acquiring HIV, which is significantly more problematic and can be fatal," Pickett said.
"We need options for people. This is one option. It wouldn't be an option for everybody. It's not meant for everybody," Pickett said.

Up Close And Personal Interview With Baltimore’s Own Thomas Pointer Jr

Composed By Thomas Pointer

This was a face-to-face interview that was conducted with author Thomas Pointer at his initial book-signing event. The interview lasted 45 minutes right in the heart of Baltimore, MD on July 3rd, 2012 in room 107 in the BWI Hilton hotel. There were 10 to 15 attendees. I spoke with an attendees by the name of Terica Price and she stated,” They read the first six chapters and the story engaged them in to read the complete book and this is a must read book of the summer”. There was no cost to get into the event. However individuals had to purchase the book for $10.00. Mr. Pointer was personally signing each copy of the book that was purchased at this event. The book is entitled “When Dark Secrets get Darker‘. Mr. Pointer was very excited about his new and upcoming documentary entitled Thirty Days in Ghana, which was filmed in West Africa. He discussed his bestseller book entitled “Dark Secrets get Darker”. Mr. Pointer’s up and coming projects leaded us right into the interview surrounding the book “When Dark Secret’s get Darker “.

SW: What is the concept behind your book “When Dark Secrets get Darker”?

Mr. Pointer: The book is about a man named Benjamin Bishop an investigator of a very powerful small law firm in the city of Baltimore, MD. His client’s list ranged from thieves, judges and politicians. He was confronted with a high profiled murder case, which made him analyze and question his moral judgments.

SW: Are you the actual Mr. Benjamin Bishop in the “When Dark Secrets get Darker “book?

Mr. Pointer: There are parts of me that are in Benjamin Bishop. People that know me say that they see a lot of similarities.

SW: Where can your fans find your book?

Thomas Pointer at the book signing all right belong to Thomas Pointer Jr

Mr. Pointer:  The book can be viewed on my website Thomaspointer.net or http://whendarksecretsgetdarker.com/ where anyone can read the first six chapters of the book for free. These chapters will wheel the reader in. The reader will have no other choice but to purchase the book at Amazon, or the eBook version on Barnes and Noble. The book is selling for only ten dollars on either site.

SW: What are your up and coming projects?

Thomas Pointer shaking hands with a chief in Ghana all photo rights belong to Thomas Pointer

Mr. Pointer:  I did a documentary entitled thirty day in Ghana, which is still editing now. I literally spent thirty days in Ghana.  I had the privilege of meeting a chief and the people of Ghana. I learned In 2011 Ghana was one of the fastest growing economic systems ranked higher than United States and China. If you want to invest your money or buy a reasonable home invest it in Ghana. Through out this documentary I wanted to focus on bridging the gap between Ghanaians and African American people. This relationship needs to be strengthened.

SW: Correspondent: Out of all the countries in the world why did you choose Ghana?

Mr. Pointer: Ghana is one of the most stable countries in West Africa. Ghana was the first country in West Africa to be independent from colonialism in 1957.

SW: Where can your fans contact you?

Mr. Pointer: My fans can reach me on: Facebook, Twitter, Google search Thomas Pointer Jr. also you can go to my website: Thomaspointer.net, or

Facebook: Thomas Pointer Jr.