Bloggers and mainstream media

Do bloggers have to obey the same rules as the mainstream media? When it comes to a judge’s decision to impose a publication ban, the answer is yes. Case in point: former Newfoundland woman allegedly kidnapped in New Brunswick. When the accused was charged, the judge imposed a publication ban on the woman’s name and anything that might identify her … strange, because her name and face had been all over the media (social & mainstream) while the search went on. Bloggers, Tweeters, Facebookers and others all published her name and picture in the hope of helping her be found. Brian Cormier, a Moncton-based blogger said he found out about the ban from a CBC reporter. He removed the information from his blog right away. One has to wonder about the reasons for the ban in this case. Generally, they’re used to protect the alleged victim’s identity but in this case, the family did all they could to publicize her identity to help in finding her. Perhaps the judge will explain it at some point.