Big agencies believe consolidation is their final victory. In reality, they’re setting the stage for their own disruption. Reporters hold the licenses, the legal authority, and now — thanks to modern tech — the tools to bypass the middle layer entirely. When the market flips, it won’t be agencies in control. It will be the reporters.
Tag Archives: jeopardizing justice
Where the Record Is Really Being Written – A Quiet Transformation Hidden in Plain Sight
Courtrooms across America are quietly shifting from certified verbatim reporting to AI transcripts, digital recordings, and agency-controlled “roughs.” The result? Hearsay masquerading as the official record — with no clear custodian, no accountability, and enormous power flowing to private platforms. This isn’t just a professional issue; it’s a constitutional one. If we lose control of the record, we lose control of justice itself.
The CA Law Has Changed – Freelancers Now Have Legal Protection — Even If Agencies Don’t Know It Yet
California’s new Freelance Worker Protection Act (SB 988) is in effect, but many agencies are still unaware they’re breaking the law. Reporters can protect themselves through education and documentation—adding FWPA clauses to rate sheets, email signatures, and job confirmations. Timely payment is now required, and retaliation for collection efforts is prohibited. Knowledge is power—spread awareness and stand firm.
Martyrs and Pretenders – The Cost of False Narratives in Court Reporting
True martyrdom cannot be faked. Charlie Kirk’s assassination proved it — millions honored his memory without manufactured drama. In our field, however, certain personalities wrap themselves in a cloak of victimhood to shield self-interest. Reporters must see through that illusion. The real martyrs are the students, schools, and working reporters who quietly sacrifice every day to protect the record.
STENOIMPERIUM 