Bloggers of the world unite!

One of our own takes on Helen Thomas (C-Doc missed this when first posted, and tries to make up for it now. . . .):

I had to disagree with Ms. Thomas on another point as well. She was very quick to dismiss blogging as an illegitimate form of journalism. “Everyone with a laptop thinks he’s a journalist,” she said with a bit of disdain, and concluded that the lack of professional experience these 'online journalists' have is hurting the profession.

Firstly, she failed to acknowledge the experience and high level of political knowledge many bloggers have. While some people do use the blogosphere to rant and rave about either inconsequential things or consequential things in a disrespectful and unintelligent matter, many do not. Blogging is very valuable, giving many people with important things to say a venue in which to say them. Critical issues that have been overlooked by the mainstream media for their political concentration and/or lack of sensationalism are now being discussed.

Furthermore, as many of the panelists pointed out in blatant opposition to Thomas’s insinuation about blogs, the public, and reporters dedicated to the ideals of journalsim (conveying truth and infroming the public), should welcome blogs to the news world becaue they actually elevate journalism and hold journalists accountable for their work. As Stengel said, quoting bloggers around the world, “we can now fact check your ass.” The blogosphere keeps reporters and news sources in check by picking up on even the slightest mistakes.

The blogophere also promotes democracy, a value journalism in its ideal form is supposed to uphold. Now every person with a computer can participate in the news process. People from all over the world are connected. Everyone can now have a voice. While opening up the media in this way may have some negative results, as Thomas implied, in a country claiming to be committed to freedom and equality, this inclusiveness is necessary and should be welcome.