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Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Ind. Courts - More on: "Law-related blogging starting to see a coming of age" -- But can a law blogger ever be considered a "journalist"?

The answer is - YES, at least in Indiana!

In this entry on July 31st, the ILB groused:[*]

But can a law blogger ever be considered a "journalist"? Not according to the application that accompanies this press release from the Indiana Supreme Court, asking for nominations for "an award [to be] presented to a member of the news media for efforts in responsible reporting on the Indiana judiciary." The application specifies:
The Indiana Judges Association wishes to recognize those members of the media (newspaper, television, radio) who have made special contributions to the judicial profession by their efforts in responsible reporting of the Indiana Judiciary. The annual awards will be presented at the Indiana Judges Association luncheon in South Bend on September 14, 2006.
The press release further explained:
The IJA gives two “Excellence in Public Information and Education” awards each year. One award is presented to a member of the Indiana judiciary for special efforts in community relations. In addition, an award is presented to a member of the news media for efforts in responsible reporting on the Indiana judiciary.
That is the background. Now here is the news!

I was delighted to learn yesterday that I have been selected for the latter award. A press release will be issued by the courts' office, perhaps later today, but meanwhile, with permission, here are some quotes from the note I received yesterday from Judge Lorenzo Arredondo:
Dear Ms. Oddi,

I congratulate you for being chosen as a recipient of the Indiana Judges
Association’s 2006 Media Award for “Excellence in Public Information and
Education.” This annual award is given to selected members of the media
who have “gone the extra mile” in responsible, informative and educational
reporting/programming to the community in matters concerning the Indiana
Judiciary. The Community Relations Committee of the Judicial Conference of
Indiana is charged with reviewing nominations received and selecting the
annual award recipients.

As you may know, the nominations for this award are submitted by
Indiana judges. You were nominated by Judge David Chidester of Porter
Superior Court. * * *

On behalf of the Indiana Judges Association, I thank you for your
responsible reporting in serving the needs of justice in Indiana and wish
you the best in your future endeavors.

Sincerely,

Lorenzo Arredondo, Chair
Community Relations Committee
Judicial Conference of Indiana for
The Indiana Judges Association

I very much appreciate this award.
_______________
[*] I hasten to clarify that the ILB's grousing was in principle only -- there has been much discussion in the blogosphere about whether bloggers can ever be considered "journalists".

Posted by Marcia Oddi on September 6, 2006 07:54 AM
Posted to Indiana Courts