One of the items discussed in detail at the conference was the issue of whether bloggers are journalists. It seems that the journalist panelists mostly thought we are not, mainly because our work is not subject to an editorial process. I concede the point that we do not have editors. But if that is all that makes a journalist a journalist, then I disagree on the definition of journalist.
As I have perused the Virginia political blogsphere during my active time here, I believe there are writers here who have risen to the level of op-ed page writers. Many of them appear on my blogroll. They are the sites that I check on a regular basis, because they provide insight and force me to think about issues in different ways. Most of them are left-leaning but some of them are on the right. The thing that sets them apart from the run-of-the-mill blog sites is that they may not post several posts a day. What they do post – and it may be once a day or once every few days – are in-depth writings.
This idea of not simply commenting on the “hot topic of the day” is what sets these blogs apart. They do not feel the pressure of “how many hits did I get today;” instead, they are writing to actually say something, to impart knowlege that they have gained and feel that is not being represented in the MSM or on other blogs.
At the conference, Gordon Morse, editoral writer at the Daily Press, implored us to tackle subjects that the MSM does not have the resources to do. Michael Shear of the Washington Post asked the question of what would bloggers post if we had to do it without reference to other printed stories.
When I started this blog, it was exactly for the reasons that Morse and Shear pointed out. I wanted to write about things that were not being discussed. And I think I did that with such pieces as the one on the Dillon Rule and Campaign Finance. But with the municipal elections and the Senate primary, I got off track, like so many did, and got caught up in the go-go-go of it all.
I believe there is room for both – the quick hit stuff of the day plus the longer, more in depth pieces – on this blog and in the blogsphere. So I won’t be completely joining Waldo or Virginia Centrist but I will be trying to do more of what I started out doing. So there may be days when I have nothing to say, and days where I have a lot to say.
Stay tuned. This is going to be fun!
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Perhaps if the mainstream media did not devote so many of its resources to covering horse race aspects of politics and the latest missing white girl scandal they would not need to turn to bloggers to do things for which they say they do not have the resources. What they are doing is misapplying the resources they have. Thus they fail to inform their readers and viewers of substantive matters about policy in a timely fashion.
There are a fair number of blogges who already address substantive issues often in far greater depth than one sees in the MSM with the exception of the few examples like Bartlett and Steele (which might be why that pair won awards for their in-depth work). I know that besides blogging on education I try to educate the reporters who cover education, and have had some success in that regard.
Having just, as a result of Yearlykos, experienced how some in the media (in particular Ryan Lizza, Anna Marie Cox, and Matt Labash) are determined to fit the phenomenom of blogging into predetermined boxes to the point in at least one case of failing to even talk to the participants whose actions he purports to describe and thus gets things very wrong, I am not particularly interested in hearing nostrums about our responsibilities from representatives of media organizations that have consistently failed to fulfill their responsibilities to accurately and in a timely matter inform the populace so that our political decisions can be made in a knowledgable fashion.
I admire what you do, and enjoy reading your postings from time to time, although I am far too busy to come here regularly (I will occasionally jump from the VA Blogroll on raisingkaine). And because I am not primarily a blogger on matters Virginia and had just spent four days at a blogger event, I passed on last weekend, despite being encouraged to participate by a number of Virginia bloggers.
I do not think the MSM has that much to tell us about how we should operate. And I know that by and large they are unwilling to listen to use when we tell them what they are doing wrong. I think a major part of our role is our ability to react quickly, to b e able to raise questions for which we do not have answers> I might be able to detect the odor of BS in a statement by a politician or campaign worker without having either the expertise or the time to go further in exploring the subject, but by my posting I may – by viral marekting if you will — encourage someone who did not see or hear the original statement but either has or knows someone who does have the expertise to do the digging and present a more complete picture.
Then there will be our ability to tell campaign and those who cover them how wrong they are about how events are perceived – often we will reflect not just our own perceptions, but those we hear in coffeshops, at the supermarket, at cocktail parties. Let me give an example. I had predicted, absent an organized turnout by Republican to vote for Miller as the wekaer candidate, that Webb would win by 10 or more points. His final margin was only 7%. I believe the difference is the existence of a semi-organized republican effort. I have seen no discussion of this in the press per se, although Larry Sabato commented on the number of calls he had received from Republicans wanting to be sure that they in fact could participate, some strange turnout in a few less populated counties, and more than a little anecdotal evidence I have picked up in the more Republican parts of Arlington County where i currently sit in a Starbucks, where I hae overheard conversations, where a Republican friend who voted FOR WEBB told me about a dozen of the people with whom he goes to church who the Sunday before the primary had openly discussed that they were going to vote for Miller in order to give Allen a weaker opponent.
That’s my two cents — or with inflation, my nickel – worth of analysis and response.
If you had not already announced that you would not make the event in Charlottesville Saturday, I would have been inclined to make the trip in part to meet you (although a chance to hit the used bookstores and stroll on the Mall always appeals to me, which is why we own rights at Shenandoah Crossing only about 20 miles away). Like you I have a commitment on the following day – I have to be at W&M at 2 PM for my 4-week NEH seminar on separation of Church and State. I cannot stay overnight in Gordonsville because my wife will be out of town and we have 5 cats who need some attention.
perhaps we can get some face time at some future event.
Peace
teacherken who can be contacted directly at kber at earthlink dot net
Good for you, Vivian.
And amen to teacherken: “Perhaps if the mainstream media did not devote so many of its resources to covering horse race aspects of politics and the latest missing white girl scandal they would not need to turn to bloggers to do things for which they say they do not have the resources. What they are doing is misapplying the resources they have. Thus they fail to inform their readers and viewers of substantive matters about policy in a timely fashion. “
Vivian,
While we surely all want people to read what we write, bloggers don’t all do it for the same reasons. Some political bloggers are writing so they can vigorously promote the ideas and people they believe deserve it. Others just love to write and have a keen interest in politics, and so forth. Some, I’m not so sure what they’re up to. But when any of us chases hits, as if they are the reason to publish a blog, we do our readers no favor.
When bloggers deliberately hop on hot topics and use inflammatory language to make the hit-o-meters on their sites spin like whirligigs in a hurricane, they are imitating one of the most obnoxious traits of the mainstream media — grasping at raw numbers at the expense of all else
Personally, with my writing and as a publisher, I’m trying to hold myself to a higher standard than the Richmond Times-Dispatch and CNN. I haven’t the resources or the desire to do all of what they do, but I can be more honest. I can try to show that I have more respect for my readers’ intelligence. Plus, I’m not trying to exploit them in any way.
No doubt, any blogger who deplores the dumbing-down of newspapers, television, etc., to chase circulation and ratings, then turns around and does basically the same thing for the same reason, well … we know what that is.
The blogs I look at the most have something different about them, something that sets them apart. I’m have no interest in the work of copycats. The ones I continue to read are usually well-written and they seem authentic. Now I’m not saying all bloggers who hide their identity are dishonest with their writing, but it does usually undermine their authenticity.
When I read your blog, I feel like I know where you’re coming from. Your ideas are connected; you know why you believe what you believe. It shows.
Keep on bloggin’.
— Terry
teacherken – you made some good points. And that is why I think the MSM definition of journalist is incorrect. Perhaps we shall meet someday.
Bob and Terry – you are two of the folks I was talking about. I think you guys are journalists and are typical of those who the rest of us should emulate.
Vivian,
I’m glad to see that you’re going to continue your high-quality writing. I echo your sentiments on how a good number of Virginia bloggers could rival MSM op-ed writers (and editorial page editors). I look forward to seeing what you come up with.
btw, I know that it’s late, but it was great to see you in person in C’ville.
— Conaway
Conaway – it was good to meet you as well.
A little help- What is MSM? I missed the part where that was explained.
I for one certainly do not consider myself a journalist, more of an opionated writer who is enjoying blogging immensely.
Vivian, I owe you an apology. I read a piece on a blog that was a challenge to conservative bloggers to join in the net neutrality debate. Later I received an email from ebay about the subject and posted it on our blog with a hat tip to you.
It wasn’t until this evening when I was surfing Bloglines.com that I realized the challenge came from Alice Marshall at GOTV.
I sincerely apologize and will post a correction ASAP. (Unlike the old media I will post it on the main page.)
f.m.
I disagree about the fact that bloggers are not subject to the editorial process. As a matter of fact, bloggers face the toughest editorial process available sometimes. John Q. Public. If you don’t believe me, make a mistake in your discussion of facts sometimes, and you will see. There is always someone who wants to correct, disagree with, or just plain argue in the public. And the reporters are protected from that.
The editors review their choice of subjects and their stories. They hit the MSM. Then the mail clerks get the disagreement mail. And a few of those might be picked for the editorial page. But a blogger, gets it all, good and bad- straight from John Q, and sometimes they are the harshest critic of all.
Good point, HSH.
thegools – MSM=Mainstream media (sorry – your post got hung up in my spam filter)
f.m – no apology necessary! (and your post also got hung up in my spam filter)