Bloggers are not journalists-Part 2

The First Amendment states: "Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press..." Blogging is the exercise of free speech. Journalism is a profession: an occupation or career. Journalist becuase of the nature of their profession, need to use anonymous sources from time to time. Watergate would have never been uncovered if it wasn't for Woodward's and Bernstein's use of anonymous sources.

Bloggers are web diarist and opinion columnist. Bloggers became the darlings of both parties during the last election, because of their ability to stir action and raise money.

Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines journalism as "writing characterized by a direct presentation of facts or descriptions of events without an attempt at interpretation. Dictionary.com defines journalism as, "The style of writing characteristic of material in newspapers and magazines, consisting of direct presentation of facts or occurrences with little attempt at analysis or interpretation."

Full Disclosure: I hold a Masters Degree in Journalism from Marshall University, and I worked, for a brief time, in the profession of journalism. I have been blogging since August 25, 2000. (I have never been paid to blog, but I do have ads running on my blogger blog. I have received no money for blogging. If you know someone who wants to pay me to blog, please email me.)

Saying all blogger are journalist is like saying everyone who practices first aid is a doctor. Boing Boing's and others effort to lump every blogger into the journalist pot servers no one. In fact, it might be dangerous.

Related Posts:

Bloggers are not journalists - Part 1

Shielding sources