Sorry for the delayed response here, but I feel it is important to reply to this question. Previously, as shield laws were determined on a state-by-state basis

Sorry for the delayed response here, but I feel it is important to reply to this question. Previously, as shield laws were determined on a state-by-state basis, the answer varied. However, congress is currently working to adopt a federal shield law, which apparently will define a journalist as such: (iii) obtains the information sought while working as a salaried employee of, or independent contractor for, an entity— (I) that disseminates information by print, broadcast, cable, satellite, mechanical, photographic, electronic, or other means; and (II) that— (aa) publishes a newspaper, book, magazine, or other periodical; (bb) operates a radio or television broadcast station, network, cable system, or satellite carrier, or a channel or programming service for any such station, network, system, or carrier; (cc) operates a programming service; or (dd) operates a news agency or wire service; So by this law, amateur journalists do not count, which is truly unfortunate. Of course, that doesn't exclude amatuer journalists from observing and reporting, it merely excludes them from lawfully being able to not reveal their sources in a court of law. Read more on this topic here: http://www.niemanlab.org/2009/09/shield-law-definition-of-journalist-gets-professionalized/ http://www.niemanlab.org/2009/09/shield-law-definition-of-jo...