New York City to grant online journalists press credentials

New York City and Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a new policy that would allow online journalists and bloggers to more easily obtain a press credential, The New York Observer reported.

The proposal is the city's response to a lawsuit filed by three bloggers who were denied press access to city proceedings. The rule would grant a two-year press credential to bloggers or online journalists who could showing they had covered at least "six news events where the City has restricted access" in the previous two years.

The proposal is now open for comment until a public hearing is held on April 7 at police headquarters in lower Manhattan.