So says Lithuanian parliament, denying one blogger the right of accreditation as a member of the Fourth Estate. Frankly, why such membership requires accreditation in the first place is the real question.

"This decision does not allow me to enjoy the rights and protection other journalists are entitled to," Liutauras Ulevicius, author of the www.blogas.lt/liutauras, said.

Parliament rejected his application for accreditation, saying he and other bloggers do not meet the legal definition of a journalist.

"The Media Law describes a journalist as a person who collects, disseminates and provides information to the media, based on a contract with the media, or who is a member of a journalists' union," parliament's education, science and culture committee said.

Ulevicius told AFP the decision breached his right to self-expression.

He vowed to appeal in the first instance to parliamentary administrators.

"If this does not help, I shall defend my rights in court," Ulevicius said.