Academic

THE TRADITIONAL REMEDY FOR SUCH THINGS INVOLVES TAR AND FEATHERS: Michigan Considers Law to License?

By Glenn Reynolds

THE TRADITIONAL REMEDY FOR SUCH THINGS INVOLVES TAR AND FEATHERS: Michigan Considers Law to License Journalists.

A Michigan lawmaker wants to license reporters to ensure they?re credible and vet them for ?good moral character.?

Senator Bruce Patterson is introducing legislation that will regulate reporters much like the state does with hairdressers, auto mechanics and plumbers. Patterson, who also practices constitutional law, says that the general public is being overwhelmed by an increasing number of media outlets–traditional, online and citizen generated–and an even greater amount misinformation.

?Legitimate media sources are critically important to our government,? he said.

He told FoxNews.com that some reporters covering state politics don?t know what they?re talking about and they?re working for publications he?s never heard of, so he wants to install a process that?ll help him and the general public figure out which reporters to trust.

How about requiring that all sitting legislators pass a test on the constitution? And maybe an IQ test, too . . . .

Okay, if you read the fine print, the bill doesn’t really do anything other than label. But it wouldn’t be irrational to fear the camel’s nose. And how do you deal with the camel’s nose? You cut it off.

Full post as published by Instapundit.com on May 30, 2010 (boomark / email).