"Journalism License and registration please."

You are on your way to report on something and all of a sudden you get stopped by the police. Only registered journalists can be in that area. In a country built on a foundation of freedom, is this right? Is it right for police to ask journalists to have a permit to report in certain areas? While to some this idea seems ridiculous, some journalists and organizations are actually okay with the idea of journalists having to have some sort of license or registration. This is due largely to civilian reporters. Access to websites and social media have made it possible for anyone to be a reporter. News can be posted online instantaneously by anyone, meaning that the rush to be the first to post is more intense than ever. My personal opinion is that while people might read something on a social media site, they usually want to check with a credible source to make sure that what they are reading is true. Real journalists will never become a thing of the past as long as they remain trustworthy and accurate. As far as licensing goes, it could lead to a reduction of the freedom the press currently has. It might also lead to more rules about who can post news online. But if done correctly it could be like other professions that require licensing. In order for the journalist to have access to more sources and to be seen as more official, licensing could take place. Considering licensing is being used as an excuse to keep people out though, it probably won't happen.