Should journalists and commentators be required to hold a state or federal license in their profession?

Everybody from civil engineers to barbers and hair stylists hold a state or federal license to perform their job and they are held accountable for their actions through that license.

Should journalists and commentators on TV and radio be required to do the same?

The licensing requirement would apply to people like Keith Olbermann and Bill O'Reilly and would make them financially accountable for telling lies (or half-truths) which could result in the license being revoked and not being allowed on the air by the FCC.

As far as I am concerned, erronious comments made by journalists and commentators can be more damaging to the public interest than a barber that gives a poor haircut to an indivdual.

If these people are 'professionals' who only report the news and the truth, then there should be no issue, right?

Absolutely not. That would be the best way for the government to step in and control the press. How do you think Zimbabwe got to where it was today? I'll tell you - they put "licenses" in place for media. Three guesses who got turned down.

Engineers hold licenses to make sure they are qualified and don't produce buildings that'll fall down - and they are not essential to democracy.

I agree that Olbermann is a liar, but the best way to beat him is to publish the truth. Yes people still follow him, but that's freedom innit.