As a trained journalist, I’ve looked at the rise in blogging with great interest. Over the years, I’ve been trying to figure out where it fits in this vast media playground and what it means overall.
One of the biggest differences I’ve always noticed are the rules journalists are trained to live and die by. Sure, you could argue there are no card-carrying journalists; that it’s a trade, not a profession. But all journalists know they have a responsibility to the viewer, to the reader, and to the publication itself, and that makes their process - even before they put pen to paper - more in-depth. There’s a level of accountability.
Journalists have to do things like fact-check their sources of information, their statistics, their quotes. They have to hunt down the best candidates to get interviews reflecting all angles of a story because being balanced and truthful is one of the key tenets of journalism. Although some would argue it’s impossible to be completely unbiased, having the ability to tell an unbiased story is also something journalists reporting on the news strive to do. All this leads to building credibility, which is key for a news source. Because without credibility, there is no trust from the reader. And without trust, the news source might as well not even exist.
Without even batting an eyelash, I can tell you that not all bloggers think this way or have this kind of “baggage” in their process. Blogging has given regular people a voice they didn’t really have in traditional media, or that they had in only a limited way. Blogging has also given experts a way to regularly express their theories and opinions on their respective areas and enable them to build and engage their own audience based on their niche.
The democratization of having a published opinion and the rise in so many sources of information is fine and dandy, but how much of it is really journalism?
According to a new 2010 study released by PR Week and PR Newswire, a majority of bloggers - 52 per cent - consider themselves journalists. This is an increase from 2009 when just one in three had the same opinion. However, despite the majority seeing themselves as professional, only 20 per cent of bloggers make the majority of their income from their blogs, a four per cent increase over 2009.
Well, there are major blogging networks out there that are compiled of former journalists, like GigaOM or Huffington Post, where, sure, a lot of them are much more editorial than news and have more of a casual, conversational tone, as blogs do. But they still have a standard with their writing and a selectivity with who’s associated in that blogging network. And no, it doesn’t always have to do with popularity, but more with quality of information. And of course, a more corporate look (at least for Huffington Post) helps with the journalistic image.
I posed these questions about blogging and journalism to Wayne MacPhail, Online Journalism professor at Ryerson University, and he raised some interesting points in favour of bloggers.
He agreed that classic journalism is based on fairness and telling the truth, and if bloggers want to act like journalists, they should try to be fair and accurate and challenge the status quo. However, bloggers shouldn’t have to operate by the same rules because not every blogger considers what they’re doing journalism.
At the same time, a lot of bloggers act as journalists without even realizing they’re doing it. When they’re capturing a part of the world and sharing it with people who aren’t there, that in essence is journalism.
Or when they’re at an event and live blog or tweet about it, that is an act of journalism.
However, we both seemed to be on par with the idea that getting invited to media events does not a journalist make. Do you think UGG Boots cares if your fashion blog fact-checks or is balanced? Do you think that hot restaurant you got invited to cares if you’re truly the most legit person to critique their food? No. For them it’s a matter of PR and what they really care about are your readers and your numbers. And if you’re cool with that, then there's no problem at all. Just don’t kid yourselves that you’re journalists. Unless, of course, you’re a fashion or food journalist who also happens to have a blog.
At the end of the day, a blogger is not a journalist. And you certainly don’t have to be. Blogs are unquestionably a source of eye-opening information that has never existed so fruitfully and accessibly as before. Blogs are often a way you can get thought-provoking and truthful counter-opinions to what’s being said in the mainstream news. But if you’re one of the 52 per cent who consider themselves journalists, just be aware of the accountability you’re expected to have with that title.
Image courtesy stock.xchng.
Comments
What a great list! Thanks so much for including Simple Bites.
I've been reading the print of Women's Post since I moved to North Ontario 3 years ago. I really like how the magazine has interesting opinions. I started reading Miss Tubanos's posts after I watched her travel series in india, interacting with orphans and finding buddha, that's the kind of stuff that I really like. This post was exactly what I've been thinking for a while and I think Nat is right. Blogging and twittering is an act of journalism in essence. I've had worked with bloggers before to cover my events as publicity and I realize that the result is never as good as when we get a newspaper to do it. I like blogs but they aren't the globe and mail. but like the globe and mail womenspost.ca has both articles and blogs because you guys are progressive.
I know this doesn't have anything to do with the article you wrote but I don't know if anyone else is confused by DJ Digital. Is he on crack or did he just not read your article? I don't understand why he sounds like Nat doesn't like new media. I don't think he's read her articles before or he's just confused. Is the editor of women's post running for prime minister? I'm confused. Anyone got an answer?
With all due respect. Thank you for your personal reply from the editor. Blogging IS journalism. I think the intended message for this writer was distorted by the medium. Different journalists have different experiences. I've likely discovered many different experiences in my interpretation of journalism and the investigative process than this fine writer. However, I cannot agree with the idea that print or paper journalism = the sole definition of being a real journo. I look forward to future columns. Good journalism grabs the attention of the reader and Anastasia Tubanos is worthy of future reading. Thanks for the alternative opinion.
It's clear DJDigital isn't aware of Anastasia Tubanos' work.
“Don't pay any attention to what they write about you. Just measure it in inches.” - Andy Warhol.
Ms. Tubanos' piece is thought provoking and barring any personal objections anyone may have against the institution of journalism schooling, she raises important questions on whether or not bloggers should be considered as journalists. Well put, well enjoyed and definitely well worded.
She clearly got the voice of "great unwashed" talking.
I'm not a trained journalist, but I do consider myself one, simply because I do NOT blog, because all my writing is posted/published online in digital magazines or websites.
There's always been a separation between blogging and journalism in my mind and Anastasia, you've made the difference clear.
Thanks for a great piece.
Marcia
This piece put a lot of things in perspective and I think it was so important to share.
Blogs can really start a dialog, but the facts contained might not be accurate. I mean, everyone is entitled to express their opinion and those opinions help others form their own ideas on the world around them. But, do I agree that bloggers adopt the term journalist? Not entirely. But, if there's an influx, that may mean that a professional distinction will come out of it. Journalists may truly end up being "card carrying" journalists.
Yes, I blog but I do not consider myself a journalist. I did not go through the years of training to earn the right to call myself that.
I am not a mommy blogger. I am a writer who covers being a mom, marriage and book reviews.
I will be tweeting this article out there. Maybe it will open some bloggers eyes.
Well done.
@justdworld
Interesting article! I've never really thought about my blogging in that way. For me, it's a form of fan service and a way for me to engage in a community but still have some control over how I get my opinions out, who sees them and what they look like. I would never liken my blog or my blogging to that of a news source or a magazine. There is definitely a difference.
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