A new survey of US journalists found that nearly 70% check a blog list on a regular basis and the majority of journalists surveyed said blogs were having a significant impact on news reporting in all areas tested except news quality.
Perhaps I’m biased, but that sounds a little disingenuous given that three-fourths of those surveyed cited blogs as helpful in giving them story ideas, story angles and insight into the tone of an issue.
Check the Center for Media Research for the full story and more stats.
Good morning Tina,
My initial reaction to the claim that 70% of US Journalists check a blog list is complimentary. As to the claim that the majority surveyed noted the impact of blogs must rattle their sense of security. Their ability to obtain exclusivity might be lessened by observant bloggers who actually have access to the “story” in a more timely manner. Certainly, producing a blog piece versus one published in the next daily newspaper column can reduce the “freshness” as well as reduce the sensational bent.
I also sense that bloggers can become a thorn in their side by submitting a level of depth on a topic that they cannot offer as they prepare for their next assignment.
Some journalists might be having a difficult time accepting the new face of reporting, that is the blogger, as a form of subliminal competition for space and time. No one wants food taken out of their mouth or should I say news taken out of their ability to write a story. I believe journalists and bloggers can comfortably cohabit the pages of information.
If the journalist is the specialist, the salient approach would be to use the blogger as a worthwhile resource, using what is available to write that perfect news submission. There’s nothing like having your own cadre of bloggers at your disposal.
Tina,
They know the facts. A sea change created by blogging is transforming their world. Print media is going online and dumping writers, for writers, at an alarming rate.
The SF Chronicle floated a memo about going to a pay per article format and dumping their high salaried talent, Wordpress creator Matt Mullenweg just secured $29.5M in funding, and Blogburst provides access to major media outlets the “privilege” of publishing our material from the blogosphere.
Superstar columnists like Sports Illustrated’s Rick Reilly are leaving the print media behind for the riches of a advertising monster blog site sure to raise their bank accounts and establish their brands.
Like in any industry, there is a large number of columnists and writers who are producing low quality content. Many of these people are ignored as not existing. Yet we all know that if these salaried columnists would draw little traffic based on their content offerings.
We are in their heads, in what was once their space, and we are here to stay.
dean
Tina is absolutely correct. I’ve been contacted on numerous occassions by US and Canadian journalists asking for submition of facts regarding Srebrenica genocide and similar research help. There is nothing wrong with blogs as long as they report factual information. There is clearly a difference between personal, gossip, and academic blogs.
Hello to all,
I am a journalist and a blogger. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind we have entered a new frontier in news content. I might wear two hats, but I respect both camps.
It comes down to being fully responsible for every word we write whether as a blogger or a journalist.
When I blog, I apply the same fact checking tools as I do when I write or broadcast for a news agency. If an idea is triggered by a blog I read - in my case anything worklife, workplace or business - I will always check the stats against the original report, study or source and may quote the expert blogger’s opinion.
I think bloggers keep me on my game as a journalist. I’m alerted to the latest trends, exposed to wonderful writers and alternative ways of thinking. The credible bloggers rise above the rest and are here to stay - as Dean said.