NPR: Is the Blogosphere Just a Lot of Sound and Fury?

Is the Blogosphere Just a Lot of Sound and Fury?

Like the cherry blossoms appearing each spring on the Washington Mall, it is now a regular occurrence for someone in the traditional media to fire a broadside at the blogosphere.

The problem with these attacks -- the latest from Michael Skube of Elon University on the op-ed page of the Los Angeles Times -- is that they rarely seem to plow any new ground. Critics used to make similar riffs about the Internet itself: traditional media pleading that we had to hold back the 'Net barbarians at the gates, when we were already inside having a beer. Now we're seeing the same kind of rants against the blogosphere.

That's not to say they don't make valid points. I liked what Skube wrote about bloggers' lack of doubt about their opinions. It does sometimes seem that bloggers can have their own little cults of personality.

My own bugaboo about bloggers is that I think sometimes physical isolation can lead to cultural and political nearsightedness. I would love to see "newsrooms" for bloggers in various cities.

I know, I know, there are lots of "virtual" places where this happens, and it's easier to arrange. Those are good, too. But I'm talking about a physical place where they could regularly throw ideas at each other before they actually go out and publish them online. One of things I enjoy the most about this job is tossing around ideas with the editors and reporters I work with.

We've heard all the old arguments about blogging, so I want to hear fresh criticism or praise. Got any?

5:46 PM ET | 08-20-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

It's addictive. No BA meetings or twelve-blog programs. Blog rehab not covered by health insurance.

Sent by John R. Otten | 7:19 PM ET | 08-20-2007

While there are certainly many things the blogosphere can be criticized about, there is no denying the manner that it is revolutionizing how we communicate.

Even though blogs on any topic may be a dime a dozen, it has to be acknowledged that some blogs -- albeit the vast minority -- represent voices spoken as well as any reporter... and voices we would not have heard, otherwise.

Reporting is not about where you went to school or how you paid your dues... it is about how you do your job. If there is a means for great writers to blossom where before the cards were stacked against them, what's so bad about that?

All this being said, we must be aware of near-sighted bloggers or those who would otherwise manipulate the system. Don't hate on the blogosphere for this, though. No new media is without those who abused its power, especially at first. It is (and always has been) the job of all of us to become familiar with the new landmines in the ever-evolving mine field. Otherwise, we're forever stuck in yesterday's world.

Sent by Dave Pots | 8:39 AM ET | 08-21-2007

What could possibly be wrong with everyone having an equal opportunity to express themselves to the world? It seems to me the ideal way of documenting the diversity of our very existence.

Sent by Meredith Simonds | 8:58 AM ET | 08-21-2007

Regarding blog news rooms, one potential example is the coverage of the Scooter Libby Trial by Firedoglake. They brought together a team of bloggers and had them set up shop in a house, where they would work and reside together when they weren't in the courtroom. Meanwhile, I have video blogging colleagues that rent out shared studio space in San Francisco. It's not a full-time news room, per se, but it's a communal space where they can work with each other when necessary.

Sent by andy carvin | 9:38 AM ET | 08-21-2007

Sometimes people blog about things that they know ran on NPR. In general, this builds the listener base

Here's something I read today

http://www.womensvoicesforchange.org/2007/08/dancing-your-ag.html

Sent by doug mcintyre | 1:28 PM ET | 08-21-2007

There's nothing wrong in the world, but wrong Will!

Sent by Mozelle Osborne | 9:16 PM ET | 09-20-2007

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