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Federal Judge Rules
'Amateur' Journalists
Have Same Rights As Pros
By Justin Pope
3-7-2

BOSTON (AP) - A federal court has ruled that nonprofessional news gatherers have the same rights as professionals, supporting a community gadfly who claimed she was muzzled by a public access cable company.   It is the first ruling of its kind, said the American Civil Liberties Union, which represented plaintiff Patricia Demarest in her fight with Athol/Orange Community Television.

http://www.rense.com/general20/fedjudgerulesamateur.htm

Last week, however, U.S. District Judge Michael Ponsor in Springfield ruled that such shows constitute a "public forum" and have First Amendment protection.

 

AOTV lawyer Peter Epstein said he had not read the verdict and could not comment.

 

The cable company said after several controversial broadcasts in 2000 that the regulation requiring written consent was necessary to prevent unfair coverage.