Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Circle yes or no....
It's an unyielding question: Are bloggers journalists? As always, it depends on whom you ask. My intuition tells they are...sometimes. Do I get a prize for being so decisive?
Before I delve further, I'd like to take a step back and ask why this query is so important. It is a matter of professional esteem? In that case, get off your high horse, paid presspeople. I'm an inclusionist at heart, and I don't find any purpose in practicing pretentiousness. There's plenty of room for everyone.
Is the question instead a warning? Three of three articles I read about this topic referred to a case involving three bloggers and Apple Computer Inc. The bloggers (journalists?) were sued for divulging product information, and they've unsuccessfully attempted to protect themselves by inciting California’s Shield Law, which prevents disclosure of journalistic sources. Professor Philip Meyer, in his article, “What is a ‘journalist’?”, argues that bloggers must seek the same legal protections as paid journalists, who enjoy the comfort of corporate legal teams when slapped with lawsuits. I agree with his advice, and it leads me to believe that if a blogger is offering news information, no matter the haste, intent or quality, she is a journalist. As Slate editor Jack Shafer said, what additional mandate does an aspiring journalist, (like me), have to providing news? I can confidently bet that many bloggers have printed stories far superior than mine, stories that I would undoubtedly benefit from reading.
Bottom line, titles carry weight, but ethics provide the real credibility. Anyone can supply news and call herself a journalist, but the mark of good reporting lies in the methods, discipline and values of the newsmaker. I’ve relied on “Elements of Journalism,” written by Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel, since my start in this field. It's guided me through the tumultuous realities of writing on deadline, wrestling with focus and striving for objectivity. I believe it’s truth, loyalties and priorities that ultimately deserve merit.
No one, bloggers and journalists alike, should accept laziness.
Philip Meyers article can be found at: www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20050331/oplede31/art.htm
Before I delve further, I'd like to take a step back and ask why this query is so important. It is a matter of professional esteem? In that case, get off your high horse, paid presspeople. I'm an inclusionist at heart, and I don't find any purpose in practicing pretentiousness. There's plenty of room for everyone.
Is the question instead a warning? Three of three articles I read about this topic referred to a case involving three bloggers and Apple Computer Inc. The bloggers (journalists?) were sued for divulging product information, and they've unsuccessfully attempted to protect themselves by inciting California’s Shield Law, which prevents disclosure of journalistic sources. Professor Philip Meyer, in his article, “What is a ‘journalist’?”, argues that bloggers must seek the same legal protections as paid journalists, who enjoy the comfort of corporate legal teams when slapped with lawsuits. I agree with his advice, and it leads me to believe that if a blogger is offering news information, no matter the haste, intent or quality, she is a journalist. As Slate editor Jack Shafer said, what additional mandate does an aspiring journalist, (like me), have to providing news? I can confidently bet that many bloggers have printed stories far superior than mine, stories that I would undoubtedly benefit from reading.
Bottom line, titles carry weight, but ethics provide the real credibility. Anyone can supply news and call herself a journalist, but the mark of good reporting lies in the methods, discipline and values of the newsmaker. I’ve relied on “Elements of Journalism,” written by Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel, since my start in this field. It's guided me through the tumultuous realities of writing on deadline, wrestling with focus and striving for objectivity. I believe it’s truth, loyalties and priorities that ultimately deserve merit.
No one, bloggers and journalists alike, should accept laziness.
Philip Meyers article can be found at: www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20050331/oplede31/art.htm
# posted by Mia @ 10:58 AM 
