Bloggers May Be Entitled to Shield Law Coverage

by Joel N. Kreizman on July 6, 2012

In Too Much Media v. Hale, the New Jersey Supreme Court held that the Defendant, Shellee Hale was not entitled to the benefit of the Shield Law. She had no basis, therefore, to refuse to reveal the sources for her Internet posts which the plaintiffs contend are defamatory.

Unfortunately, many in the media, in reporting about the Too Much Media case, referred to Ms. Hale as a “blogger”. That reference led to the misconception that the Court held that bloggers are not to be considered reporters and are not accorded the privileges available to participants in more traditional media.