The differences between journalism, blogging and online activism continues to blur. Case in point: Egypt, where foreign critics of the government are increasingly denied entry into the country. The Media Line explains:
One of the problems facing both Randall and Bjorklund was the manner in which the Egyptian blogosphere and activist circles promoted their detentions. Both the Swede and the American were quickly labeled as activists and bloggers. For Bjorklund, at least, this was not far from the truth, even though he promotes himself as a journalist, not a blogger.
In Randall’s situation, the unfounded accusation quickly became problematic, and has likely resulted in his continued banning from Egypt.
“The government can now look at the articles written about him [Randall] and say ‘look, we are right, he is a blogger, he is an activist, the Los Angeles Times and other publications say so.’ It is not good because of all the people the government has done this to, Randall is the least likely candidate. The problem is the bloggers and activists in the country,” a former foreign ministry official told The Media Line, on condition of anonymity.
Israel faces a similar problem of clouded distinctions with people such as Ewa Jasiewicz (an activist who acts like a journalist) and Lauren Booth (a journalist using her work for activism). (It's not my intent to equate the work of Travis Randall and Per Bjorklund with Jasiewicz and Booth.)
I'm not sure where to draw the line. But if journalists with any sense of decency would police themselves — i.e., call Jasiewicz, Booth, and others on the carpet – it would spare Israeli officials like Danny Seaman from playing the heavy every now and then.
