The New Jersey Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal by life coach and blogger Shellee Hale, who argues that a state appellate court wrongly determined that she wasn't a "journalist" for purposes of the state's shield law.
Hale, who criticized the software company Too Much Media on a message board, argues that she was acting as an "internet reporter investigating corruption" at the time she posted her comments on the message board, and therefore is entitled to protect the identity of her sources.
New Jersey's reporter shield law broadly allows journalists to keep their sources' identities confidential. But the Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey ruled that Hale could not claim the benefit of that law because she wasn't a journalist. "Defendant has produced no credentials or proof of affiliation with any recognized news entity, nor has she demonstrated adherence to any standard of professional responsibility regulating institutional journalism, such as editing, fact-checking or disclosure of conflicts of interest," the court wrote.
The lawsuit grew out of allegedly defamatory posts by Hale on Oprano, which calls itself "the Wall Street Journal for the online adult entertainment industry." In one post, Hale hinted that Too Much Media engaged in "fraudulent, unethical and illegal uses of technology," according to the appellate court's opinion.
Too Much Media sued Hale for defamation and attempted to discover the identities of people who provided her with information. She unsuccessfully argued to the trial judge and appellate court that the state's shield law gave her the right to protect her sources' identities.
After losing in the appellate court, Hale asked New Jersey's highest court to consider her case.
Her lawyer, Jeffrey Pollock, argues that the lower court's decision could put all online journalists at risk of losing the benefits of the shield law. "If the court were to decide that people writing on the Internet, for the public's benefit, who cite confidential sources are not entitled to the shield law, you are going to have a big problem with freedom of the press in the future."
Too Much Media's lawyer, Joel Kreizman, counters that Hale wasn't acting as a reporter in that she didn't publish news on her own blog or on a Web site affiliated with a news organization. "She participated in an online conversation. That's not reporting," Kreizman says. "Even if you're a reporter working for a recognized newspaper, that doesn't mean you can go outside your newspaper, on a chatroom, and just defame people," he adds.
by Wendy Davis
A blog for new jersey internet marketers, business owners with new jersey websites, pictures, and videos.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
What ads do moms want to see on mommy blogs?
When mothers read mommy blogs they are focused on many things, but not themselves. A new survey from rich media solutions provider Unicast sheds light on which ads they like, and those ads they expect to see, while browsing mommy blogs.
When Unicast surveyed 1,700 Power Moms for its 2010 Back to School Survey they found that saving money is still front of mind for the vast majority (80%) and ads that promise to lessen the strain on the household's purse strings are welcomed. No surprises there.
However, the survey did throw up some interesting findings.
Advertisers will be pleased to learn that only 6% of Power Moms "hate" online ads. In fact, over a third (35%) really like them or find them helpful.
But before you get too excited, a word of warning. Don't bother advertising products for mom on mommy blogs.
It was clear from the survey that moms put their kids, and their family's stomachs, first. When asked what ads they want to see on mommy blogs they responded as follows:
- 69% like ads for groceries
- 49% want ads for children's clothing
- 42% want ads for children's toys/games
- 41% want ads for children's entertainment
- 39% want ads for baby items.
Less than a third of Power Moms were interested in seeing ads for products for themselves such as beauty products, clothing, entertainment or travel.
"With these insights, marketers can better leverage ad campaigns across the web and specifically with mommy blogs - a highly trusted resource for millions of parents," said Bryan Hjelm, VP of Product and Marketing for Unicast.
"Not engaging with these blog publishers means ignoring an active and devoted audience of prime consumers: Power Mom readers preparing to shop."
by Helen Leggatt
When Unicast surveyed 1,700 Power Moms for its 2010 Back to School Survey they found that saving money is still front of mind for the vast majority (80%) and ads that promise to lessen the strain on the household's purse strings are welcomed. No surprises there.
However, the survey did throw up some interesting findings.
Advertisers will be pleased to learn that only 6% of Power Moms "hate" online ads. In fact, over a third (35%) really like them or find them helpful.
But before you get too excited, a word of warning. Don't bother advertising products for mom on mommy blogs.
It was clear from the survey that moms put their kids, and their family's stomachs, first. When asked what ads they want to see on mommy blogs they responded as follows:
- 69% like ads for groceries
- 49% want ads for children's clothing
- 42% want ads for children's toys/games
- 41% want ads for children's entertainment
- 39% want ads for baby items.
Less than a third of Power Moms were interested in seeing ads for products for themselves such as beauty products, clothing, entertainment or travel.
"With these insights, marketers can better leverage ad campaigns across the web and specifically with mommy blogs - a highly trusted resource for millions of parents," said Bryan Hjelm, VP of Product and Marketing for Unicast.
"Not engaging with these blog publishers means ignoring an active and devoted audience of prime consumers: Power Mom readers preparing to shop."
by Helen Leggatt
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