Bloggers Write Right

The on-going debate between bloggers and MSM (main stream media) continues. MSM does not want to acknowledge, nor encourage, anyone to take bloggers seriously. It's okay to read blogs-- it's even okay to write them-- but, don't look at their content as anything more than the ramblings of ego-centric wanna-be writers.

On the other hand, bloggers sometimes come across as smug, holier than thou tattle-tales.

It's all relative.

One would think.

The reality is quite different. Let's look at MSM and what it has wrought:

• newspapers
• magazines
• books
• television shows and news
• cable television shows and news
• and radio

And blogs. Yes, MSM begat the mighty blog. These online, informal, reporting tools are a product of main stream media's universal quest for truth. Blogs, whether written by a high school student interested in macrame, or a college professor following copyright law, are the new-age answer to news reporting. The popular phrase to date is "citizen publisher."

As such, blogs serve a community-- just as local news serves its community -- by offering insight, reporting, advice, and all the other components of newspaper reporting, nightly news reporting, and other informative news venues that purport to serve the greater good by giving viewers or listeners or readers, the facts.

In today's local paper here in Rochester, NY (the Democrat and Chronicle) , a news item from Knight Ridder, titled, "Reporters, bloggers debate legitimacy" attempted to fuel the fire of this on-going debate by noting the escapades of Jeff Gannon, who used a false identity as a blogger to gain access to the White House, some time ago. Seems this past Friday Jeff was invited to a National Press Club panel to discuss blogging and journalism...which doesn't set right with some folks. After all, what right does he have to speak for bloggers-- and what right does he have to be on a Press  Club panel, as if he's a journalist?

We don't have answers to those questions...in fact, we aren't particularly concerned with them, because they are really outside of the realm of business blogging.  But-- the debate over whether bloggers are journalists or not, is important because the underlying question is: can blogging be considered useful, relevant, and trustworthy? Are bloggers to be 'believed'? Should they be invited into the inner circle...that being the place news reporters are allowed during political rallies and corporate press conferences.

The answer, of course, is YES. Bloggers are, in the sincerest sense of the term, journalists and reporters. Visit Nevon's blog and tell me he's not a reputable journalist. Visit Elizabeth Albryht's blog and dispute her integrity.

To step out of the journalistic spotlight and into the corporate world, hang out with BL Ochman for awhile-- she's just as good a journalist and corporate reporter as Diane Sawyer. It's just that BL uses blogging instead of a TV camera, to make her points. And, like Diane Sawyer, she isn't shy about stating the facts...or calling a spade a spade.

Especially useful, for our purposes, is BL's report: BLOGS STILL MYSTIFY: TEN COMPANIES THAT MISSED GREAT BLOG OPPORTUNITIES which is offered in her Tactics Newsletter, for free.

Where does that put PR blogs, sales blogs, and marketing blogs, and blogs written by corporate CEOs? It puts them in the same place as BL's blog, Elizabeth's blog, Nevon's blog, this blog, and so many other blogs. Blogs exist for a purpose-- a purpose determined by the blog author-- which gives bloggers far more freedom than...paid journalists.

If a company delves into business blogging, it's a sure bet that unless they choose someone who has the credibility, the availability, and the knowledge to write useful, educational, informative blog posts-- not sales pitches, they will fail in their efforts to be part of the "bloggersation"-- that on-going, internal and external conversation that blogs build between bloggers and readers, all over the web.

Blogs written as promotional tools only, carry a big price. They run the risk of alienating the blog readers-- and of attracting serious bloggers who will delight in tearing their words apart. Because citizen journalism is focused on the citizen...and on his or her need to be informed. Not on company politics or sales-- save that for your internal, password protected blogs.

To sum up: are bloggers journalist? Yes. Should a business consider a blog to make connections to their clients and customers more real? Yes. Is blogging a new communication model for the new millennium? No. Communication hasn't changed...people still talk to people...about --whatever-- the difference now is-- they can talk to more people, get more answers to more questions, and interact more effectively, than ever before. We think that makes bloggers and blogging respectable.

What do you think?

Comments

[Stephanie]

Tom--2 things: USA Today had an essay yesterday that blogs are a passing fad. 'Looking forward to your comments on that!

Also: since starting my blog and actively commenting on others' (required to give away my e-mail address), I'm getting a ton of spam I hadn't before. What can I do?