Blogs pose several challenges to traditional journalism:
(1) Bloggers aren't bound by a code of ethics or by industry standards, so they have fewer restrictions on their means of gathering information, and their information does not have to meet journalistic standards in order to be published. As a result, traditional journalists can be 'scooped' by bloggers. On the other hand, information published by bloggers may prove to be unreliable.
(2) Many blogs that focus on politics and the media seem to be made up of a core group of people who provide the majority of the posts and comments, which are then read by a much wider audience. Core group members are often able to devote hours every day to monitoring and analysing traditional media coverage. These critiques expose a broad audience to a deconstruction of traditional media, without providing an opportunity for journalists to present their side by explaining their choices or outlining the challenges they face and the conditions that limit their work.
(3) How savvy is today's blogging audience? Readers may not understand the differences between blogging and traditional journalism, or be able to recognize which blogs meet journalistic standards and which do not. Even when readers do, will they take the time to confirm the source of information posted on a blog? Can a source always be found on the web?
I think blogs that are published by traditional media should attempt to educate readers about these issues.
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4 comments:
It's true, I think part of the problem we'll soon be facing with blogging and journalism is knowing when something we're reading is factual versus opinion. Since bloggers aren't bound by journalistic integrity, they don't have the constant nagging thought of "could I get sued for saying this"
I completely agree with your statements about the lower standards that bloggers operate under, as opposed to traditional journalists. Perhaps as it becomes more difficult to discern between fact and oppinion in the growing world of blogging, readers will turn back to more traditional forms of media to avoid being misinformed.
I couldn't agree with you more. There needs to be a distinction between the professional and the amateur blogger. That's not easy. We live in an information world where information is easily accessible to those who are connected. What about those who are not connected? Those countries that aren't technologically advanced still require traditional journalists to distribute the news out to the masses. Until that issue is resolved there will always be a place for the traditional journalist.
I like the post. Your points were clear and well articulated. I like the question you ask at the end "(3) How savvy is today's blogging audience?"
How do you think journalism will adapt?
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