Maryland Judge Rules Blogger Not Protected by News Shield Law

A Worcester County, Maryland judge has ruled that a Salisbury area Web blog publisher is not protected by a state law shielding news reporters from defamation lawsuits.

The ruling means blogger Joseph Albero must explain the steps he took to verify blog postings that prompted a defamation suit filed by Salisbury Police Chief Allan Webster. Albero, however, will not have to disclose the source of a letter on his blog which allegedly defamed Webster.

Webster is seeking nearly $10,000 from Albero for publishing information Webster says is harmful to his character.

A trial is scheduled for July 30.

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Information from: The (Salisbury, Md.) Daily Times, http://www.delmarvanow.com/