Social Media Influencers Should Disclose Paid Political Promotion

The New York Times and Philadelphia Inquirer have published identical stories noting that what they call "social media stars" are publishing vlogs and podcasts that promote candidates for public office without bothering to tell their followers that they are being paid. Wouldn't this be disclosed in campaign finance reports that candidates are required to file periodically? Not necessarily. As the Times article observes, these payments can be funneled through middlemen. 

I wonder whatever happened to ethics.

Only four states require social media influencers (which would include bloggers) to disclose paid political messaging. I am unaware whether any legislation is pending in Pennsylvania, but hopefully, someone who at least has a scintilla of an interest in preserving our democracy will take note. 

Federally, one Congressman is promoting legislation that would require social media influencers to disclose payments from foreign countries. I think all paid influence should be disclosed. 

I do not know how someone in good conscience could take money to promote a campaign while holding himself out as an independent voice. Failure to disclose a payment tells me the person is deceiving his followers. 

We live in a day and age when trust in our media is at an all-time low. This just makes us less credible. 

I can tell you I have never accepted nor have I ever been offered a dime for what I write. I know no local bloggers who have ever done this sort of thing. But it's hard to believe us when there are people out there who are selling themselves like hookers, although we all aim to please.  

2025: State of the Blog

Since I first began blogging in 2006, I've published 14,445 posts and 305,000 comments. This is primarily a local blog, though I do ramble into national news from time to time. Many news sources proclaim objectivity, but there really is no such thing. I admit a center left bias but have done my best to be factual and honest. This year, there will be numerous municipal offices up for grabs. I will certainly focus on Northampton County's government, politics and races. If you'd like more stories about other local governments, please comment below on what government and why. Better yet, why not become an author yourself? I'm getting older and am slowly losing eyesight, especially at night. This is likely from spending too many hours on the laptop. But there are stories that need to be told and too few people who can invest the time.  My left sidebar includes links to local bloggers on that PC version of this website. If you think you have something to contribute, please contact me at bohare5948@aol.com. 

My Eyesight Is Slowing Me Down

I usually spend a minimum of two hour outdoors daily. The first thing I do when I wake up is do a slow jog for about five minutes. This Winter, I've been able to ride outdoors from time to time, and I walk and run with a seeing-eye dog pretty much every day. It's good for both of us. But over the past few weeks, my left eye has been irritating me and I find it necessary to place a finger over it if I want to see clearly. It has reached the point where it interferes with both reading and writing. 

I'll be seeing an eye doctor today to find out what's going on. I believe the raw weather over the Winter probably got to me. Over the past several days, I've purposely cut back a little on writing. I expect to be fully operational very soon. After all, I only need one eye. 

Updated 11:30 am: It turns out I have cataracts in both eyes. My left eye is completely shot, but my right eye is apparently pretty good. It was 20-25 even with cataracts. This has nothing to do with walking in high wind and everything to do with getting older. I've been referred to someone who will take care of it and will try to get a head transplant while I'm at it. 

Judge Beltrami: Bloggers Immune From Liability For Defamatory Anonymous Comments

In a ruling that has far-reaching implications for bloggers and newspapers that maintain Internet comment boards, Northampton County Judge Anthony Beltrami has rejected defamation claims brought against a blogger for anonymous comments posted on his blog. Last week, he determined that bloggers are immune from liability for comments that are posted anonymously. He bases his decision on Section 230 of the strangely named Communications Decency Act[CDA], a federal law designed to encourage online debate.I have first hand knowledge of this ruling, which I believe to be the first definite ruling on a blogger's liability in Pennsylvania. I happen to be the Defendant.

The ruling in question concerns a blog I wrote about Tricia Mezzacappa, not long after I obtained a $67,140 defamation verdict against her. Several of my readers responded to that story with uncomplimentary comments about her, and she sued. Judge Beltrami agreed with the argument that I am immune from liability under federal law. I am responsible for what I say, but not for the commentary of third parties, whether they identify themselves or not.

Though few people are aware of this obscure little provision, it has been dubbed "the greatest of all Internet laws."

Without question, anonymous commentary often leads to hateful and vicious remarks. But it also sometimes results in very good tips. I first learned that Sheriff Randy Miller had been fired thanks to an anonymous comment here. People feel more free to speak.

In this case, Mezzacappa had argued I should be held liable because, though I do not moderate, I respond to comments and occasionally delete them. The Court concluded these were nothing more than "the exercise of a publisher's traditional editorial functions, namely, whether to publish, withdraw, postpone or alter comment provided by others. This is the very conduct that Congress chose to immunize by [CDA]."

It would appear that, under Judge Beltrami's reasoning, even moderated blogs are immune.

Essentially, Mezzacappa's lawsuit has been gutted. I still have to answer some allegations, but her lawsuit is going to fail.

In the meantime, a defamation judgment that first stood at $67,140 has grown to $71,000.

Blogger's Note: This story originally published at midnight, and has been updated to reflect The Daily Intelligencer story.

GOP Delegate Candidate Tricia Mezzacappa Sued For Defamation

Just last week, Tricia Mezzacappa and her mouthpiece Larry Otter, were in Court. They wanted a temporary restraining order against me. Although they both walked right past me as I made my way into the courthouse to search a few titles, neither bothered to serve me with their motion or inform me there would be a hearing, the very next day, to restrict my individual liberties.

Judge Beltrami dismissed the case.

Today, I sued Mezzacappa for an incessant torrent of libel extending over a period of several months. I might be the first to sue her, but am by no means her sole victim. She has also defamed West Easton officials, Easton Mayor Sal Panto, Easton police, Northampton County officials and developer Abe Atiyeh.

Both WFMZ-TV69 and The Express Times have excellent accounts.

Other than this announcement, I'll let my lawyer, Rick Orloski, do the talking. Now he is being victimized by Mezzacappa, too.

Amazingly, she's running for Delegate to the GOP Convention.