Blogging and journalism

The role of blogging within journalism has often created a differing of opinions when it comes to traditional journalists and non-traditional journalists. Patrick Baltatzizs deconstructs the role blogging plays in a democratic society, and the million dollar question — Is blogging journalism?

The importance of journalism within a democratic society is extremely important, in my opinion. “Democracy,” writes Baltatzizs, “is the legitimate struggle between powerful ideas to establish political, social and economic leadership in our societies.” The overthrowing of powerful regimes, (he equates recent innovation with historical innovations), can be done by changing societal power structure with the help of inventions.

Blogging is publishing information (low value to high value) through the Internet. Blogs attempt to focus on specific ideas and values that are supposedly effective at engaging the audience to act. While I agree with this concept generally speaking, it fails to leave out specifics when it comes to the audience who reads blogs. I believe that the few thousand readers who will be engaged by blogs and therefore act, are already active readers/civic participants already.

I think journalists should blog—why not? I agree with Baltatzizs’ point that when newspapers blog, they legitimize themselves as a valuable resource within targeted communities. I’m not really sure I understand why this is the case however. I suppose the majority of mass-reaching journalism (i.e. TV pundits, radio personalities, and Internet sources) is quick to issue opinions, and thus solidifying their validity with a particular topic. But I don’t believe that just having an opinion deems anyone an expert. In fact experts should be able to be well versed on the oppositions viewpoint, just as much as their own.

Blogging may be innovating journalism, but I don’t agree that it is innovative journalism. Blogging is keeping journalists on their toes so to speak, with truthfulness, timeliness and job security. Blogging relies on journalists, with the rare exception, but blogging does not make you a journalist always. Although it is rather late, it must be included that blogs are not all one in the same. There are many “blogs” that adhere to journalism guidelines and then there are some that spout off author-invested arguments.

While blogs may provide a great resource for journalists to gather story ideas, make contacts or understand what the public is thinking, I don’t think there is any substitution for getting out there and talking to people!

Erin