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I've avoided the "San Francisco regulates bloggers" ruckus, since I think it's mostly hot air, and because I think there's not much point in blogging about blogging. However, I did check with Chris Daly, and he says he is pretty sure that the proposed legislation does not cover blogs. As he says, "I think that probably the 1st
Amendment will cover it." He may get a specific clarification from the City Attorney regarding the blog question.


A note on the Board meeting going on right now...

It's kind of surreal to hear Chris quote his own blog on the record at a board meeting.

UPDATE: The Board rejected Daly's resolution to deny the fee waiver to San Francisco Cycling. See the blog link above for more details.

MORE UPDATE: Supervisor Maxwell just clarified that she sees blogs as a "recognized news source," and so should be exempt. Chris Daly proposed an amendment to specifically and explicitly exempt blogs. And, even plugged his blog on SF Gov TV, for the second time today.

EVEN MORE UPDATE: Apparently Chris's amendment would require the legislation to be sent back to the Ethics Commission and so could not be voted for today. Mirkarimi is now promising to amend the legislation to exempt blogs as well.

Now all the Supervisors are jumping on board to express how much they heart bloggers.

MORE: Elsbernd is pointing out that the California Shield Act does not consider bloggers journalists. City attorney says that if the Ethics Commission or the Board of Supes can define bloggers as news media. Peskin points out that since everybody agrees, the proposed amendment is not substantive and therefore would not require sending back the legislation.

YET MORE: Alioto-Pier points out that this will cover the League of Women Voters' Smart Voter site. Regulation would be burdensome...would penalize poor non-profits. All outside lawyers she's spoken to think that there are serious problems with this legislation on 1st amendment grounds.

Tom says: Alioto-Pier is using the same arguments against this legislation as the campaign consultants used against Prop G. Precedent says San Franciscans want more election reform.

AND MORE: Mirkarimi: We gotta pass it now! I'll add some clarifying legislation, including recognizing blogs as recognized media. Will add definition for Internet advertisement.

Alioto-Pier: We have time to amend this, right Ethics Commission guy?

Ethics Commission Guy: We are prepared to deal with amendments at our next meeting.

A-P: More amendments! Not just blogging. Also web-hosting: If you post on your website, it's not just member communication. $1000 threshold is too small. Make it 5000.

I have to go to a meeting. watch it yourself