I just finished reading an interesting post by Fred Wilson where he talks about a new classification of bloggers called journabloggers and their responsibility to produce better news than they are. Fred’s classification for journabloggers goes like this
The journablogger has his or her own blog or works in a blog network like paid content, techcrunch, gigaom, alley insider, read write web, mashable, venturebeat, etc, etc. Just look at the top of techmeme’s leader board and you’ll see them right next to the traditional journalists like New York Times, Wall Street Journal, CNET, etc.
I’m not really interested in debating the validity of his classification. What I am more interested in is the opportunity that is opening up for those bloggers not lucky enough at this point in their career to live in the same rarified air as some of the blogs mentioned by Fred. I find it interesting that as these mainline blogs gain more and more recognition the more they all become more alike and just as prone to tabloid journalism just to get that story out first. At some points it is hard to tell the difference between Valleywag and TechCrunch given the depth of what is posted.
This also ties in with my post earlier about blogger Tony Hung tearing apart a post on HuffPo that was filled with hot points that would make any tabloid press weak in the knees with jealousy. As Tony pointed out in his post
In “new media”, I find that the need to vet stories is obviously less strong, as the need to have content and be first becomes the first priority.
He equally and succinctly points out as well that it is important for bloggers to think for themselves:
Bottom line isn’t a ground breaking one, but its one that can’t be said enough:
Think for yourself, and if you’ve having a hard time doing that (I know I do, especially when I’m tired) *look* for other people who *are* thinking for themselves. People who are writing in the comments section. Or other opinions on other blogs.
Thoughtful analysis is what makes the blogosphere great — and is an absolute necessity, if you’re to get anything out of it, particularly if you’re not a blogger, and have no platform to officially contribute that thought process on.
While these journabloggers; as put forth by Fred, continue in their drive for mass market consumption they are opening up a secondary; and maybe just as profitable, market for other bloggers. That being as Fred did in his post adding some real substance and facts to bring some balance to what is becoming obvious populace blogging.
It is one thing to get those breaking stories or insider information but when you publish them with no more than a cursory check of facts or background information you are nothing more than a pop news publisher. This might satisfy enough readers to keep you financially solvent but you are doing a disservice to the blogosphere.
Not to mention you are also opening yourself up to some smart bloggers who have realized you are now fodder for their careers. That might not be such a nice place to be.
Conversation Tags: journabloggers, journalism, blogging, bloggers
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t @ dji
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