A judge in Canada has ruled that a blogger is a journalist. What’s interesting the ruling is the judge doesn’t wade into the fray of the journalists vs. blogger debate. He merely makes the assumption that a blogger is a journalist and worthy of the same protections.

After  reviewing videotape from a Canadian Broadcasting Corporation crew at the scene, sometimes in slow motion, the judge found that it contradicted testimony of the arresting officer, Sergeant John Parks.

“Members of the so called mainstream media were taking photographs and filming in the same area without interference from the police,� the judge wrote in a 20-page decision. “I believe it’s fair to say that the defendant was doing nothing wrong at the time he was approached by Sergeant Parks and placed under arrest. He was simply plying his trade, gathering photographs and information for his blog alongside other reporters.�

The judge also said that the police had no right to delete about 200 photos stored on Mr. LeBlanc’s camera.

I think it’s obvious that a person who has the means to disseminate information has the same right as a paid professional to be at the scene of an event and document it.