A Blogger Acts, and a Community Reacts

When blogger Daniel Cavanagh started writing, and posting photos, about what happens in his community, Gerristsen Beach, New York, he didn't expect the explosion that has followed. But his posts revealed the activities of a local non-profit, which found itself in trouble with the parks department. The non-profit, Gerritsen Beach Cares, was unhappy. Sparks flew. Meanwhile, Mr. Cavanagh continued to report on activities and post information, including an interview with someone, although he didn't tell the interviewee he was taping the conversation and would post it on his blog. He copied Facebook posts, to which some take exception.

Mr. Cavanagh says he's not a journalist, just someone documenting the scene around him. So what legal and ethical standards apply? More here in an article from the New York Times.