Yesterday I was asked by HOI News if I thought blogging was the “fifth estate,” so to speak. I said no, I see it as an extension of the fourth estate; i.e., I don’t make a hard distinction between what newsy blogs do and what the mainstream media does.
This morning, on NPR’s Morning Edition, they had a whole story on just that idea — blogs and traditional media (in this case, newspapers) working together as partners instead of adversaries. And Scott Janz today points out how important a certain blog was in reporting the Virginia Tech shootings.
What do you think? Should blogs and the media hold hands and sing Kumbaya, or should they continue as adversaries?
I think in the future you will see blogs and the mainstream working together, and promoting each other. Technology is to fast for the Mainstream Media not to embrace the credible blogs.
They should remain at arms length. The “media” needs watchdogs.
“Media” is plural, which suggests multiple organizations that allegedly compete with each other.
But that competition often leads to a pack mentality (which we saw with the over-the-top coverage of Anna Nicole Simpson’s death and which is beginning with the shootings at Virginia Tech).
And most reporters are trained by the same journalism schools and have the same political leanings and sensibilities. So it’s no wonder are “media” sounds like reprints and recordings of each other’s work.
Blogs are either part of that echo chamber or par5t of it. Certainly, I get most of my news from the local media. But I go out and get some information first hand. C.J. does a tremendous amount of research.
Blogs that “do news” are the larval stage of what is metamorphosing into serious and stable grassroots news organizations. These new organizations will provide alternatives to the mainstream media, which is increasingly more concerned with making sure their stock prices remains high rather than live up to their obligations as institutions that enjoy the protections of the First Amendment.
Vonster is right. The media needs watchdogs. The blogs are the only place the ordinary citizen can get uncensored news and information. I hope they don’t get too cozy.
My interest in blogging is in providing newsworthy info that the local media does not. The Peoria Journal Star and the local tv stations sometimes cover happenings at the local airport quite poorly, or altogether ignore them. In some instances, they’re inconsistent, such as when American Connection withdrew its St. Louis flights.
The PJS reported Bloomington’s loss weeks in advance and got around to reporting Peoria’s loss a few days after the fact (no doubt because I reported it on my blog the last day of service, then Billy then C. J. made mention of this news on their respective blogs).
I won’t even mention the Kellar Branch…
Oops.
Billy, I tend to agree with you. However, as credible blog sites gain an audience, mainstream media will change. The once biased, old school mentality of reporting the news at 5, 6 and 10 with hidden editorial comments, will be entirely different. Even the 24 hour drive by media will have to cater to the on the scene blogger who has posted a video with full coverage minutes after the story breaks. With RSS feeds, they will have to change or they will be left behind. They my friend, will be all to fast to jump onto your sites (news bloggers) and pay to advertise thier little ABC News banner. You may see a YouTube type of local, and national news in the future. Bloggers writing/video it, journalist editing it, CNN Airing it.
“Newsy blogs” bring an added element to traditional news coverage – interaction with readers. It is the closest thing we have to the old town hall meetings of the 18th century where the exchange of ideas, opinions, and political philosophies helped to form our nation. The idea of independent news blogs as an alternative to the “journalistic establishment” is appealing. Don’t tamper with success.