More bloggers join the MSM

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It has been interesting over the years that I’ve been blogging (almost five now) to watch both the response of the main stream media (MSM) to the blogosphere as well as the reverse. Nearly every MSM site includes blogs now, mostly manned by staff. Newspapers and other MSM sources continue to be the primary source of information for most bloggers, despite being, in many cases, the object of scorn by those same people.

We’ve seen some major bloggers – most recently Nate Silver of fivethirtyeight.com – provide such a tremendous service that the MSM picked them up. It is, I guess, an acknowledgment of sorts of the value of some of the blogosphere. But for every Nate Silver, there are thousands of bloggers who have something valuable to say but struggle to be heard.

At the same time, the MSM, particularly newspapers, face their own struggles, with declining readership and the resulting smaller staffs. The Virginian-Pilot started publishing short clips from various postings across the Virginia political blogosphere a couple of years ago. The benefit was felt by those on both sides: the paper got content and the bloggers got exposure.

So it is no surprise, then, that some bloggers are ending up as regular contributors in the MSM. I have been writing a weekly op-ed for the Pilot since July. My column generally appears on Wednesdays.  Starting yesterday, JR Hoeft and Brian Kirwin of Bearing Drift will be contributing to The Daily Press also on Wednesdays.

Interesting is that it takes two men to do the work of one woman, don’t you think? 🙂

Seriously, though, a hearty welcome to my friends. And get to work – because this MSM writing is a whole different ballgame than blogging.

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13 thoughts on “More bloggers join the MSM”

    1. I second that, but in reality, Kirwin is one of the funniest politicos out there. I am sure his column will be highly entertaining and a great read.

      It is interesting though that the Daily Press picked them up and not the Pilot. Kimball Payne does a better job covering local politics than the Pilot and all three local TV stations combined. I guess they see the benefit of having a real political team now.

      I wonder if there will be any kind of disclosure notice for when they end up on someone’s payroll?

      1. If Kirwin stays on the issues, he’ll be fine. But if he goes into the funny territory, it’s going to be hard.

        Kimball does a good job but he’s spread thin.

        As for disclosure – I’m sure they’ll have to do that 😉

        1. If other editorialists don’t have to disclose that they’re flaming liberal moonbats, I’m sure I’ll achieve the same amount of discretion.

  2. Hi Vivian,

    You don’t know just how timely your post is. I write/report/freelance for a weekly here in Roanoke (The Roanoke Star-Sentinel) in addition to my website.

    The Roanoke Times columnist/blogger was getting out of control on the daily newspaper’s website. The untamed comments on his blog have been vicious and comments were using multiple IDs.

    I posted a critique and he came to my website pointing out factual errors and defended himself rather nastily. He proceeded to give me a lesson in journalistic ethics disputing my article on the city’s meals tax. I proved him wrong.

    The point being how nasty his attack was – he was use to being the attacker but when the shoe was on the other foot well you get my drift.

    If you have a chance read his comments. Not sure whether he’s done with me yet.

    http://www.roanokefreepress.com/?p=11436

  3. It has been good to finally see the MSM in your region adapting to the new realities .. especially using you … in the Fredericksburg area the Free Lance Star controls print and radio and has been an echo chamber for the radical right …

    it is “interesting is that it takes two men to do the work of one woman, don’t you think? :)” … but knowing you it’s not a surprise

    and I totally agree “MSM writing is a whole different ballgame than blogging.”

  5. Vivian –
    Of course it takes two of us…one of us has to be rational one week and the other has to be, well, himself. We’re trying to be “fair and balanced”. 😉

    Thanks for the shoutout. I noticed the difference between writing a column and blogging immediately – especially given that I was able to get a good interview with Bobby Scott to provide some perspective to the column. You don’t always get that blogging.

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