Blogs as a Source For News

In comparing how different sources such as newspapers and blogs cover the latest news, it is important to consider what these sources can do and what they can’t do. As many already know, the internet has opened the doors wider to free speech than any government ever has or could possibly fathom of doing. Finally there is a place where people who share common beliefs and interests can meet and present their views and practice selective exposure. Many online blogs tend to be very one sided; others function as a courtroom open for debate which appear to be the most successful.
What distinguishes the functions of a newspaper from the functions of a blog is that writers for newspapers need credentials and with those credentials, are expected to follow a code of ethic that most writers for mainstream newspapers must follow in order to remain employed. This code of ethic is neutrality. Most daily newspapers report news and do not comment; that’s what the editorials are for. Online blogs are open for discussion and welcome people of all beliefs. When reading online blogs especially political blogs, you sometimes come across statements that would never find their way into a newspaper because many contributing bloggers have nothing to lose, whereas paid writers do; their job. The old saying “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all,” doesn’t hold true in the online community that is constantly pushing the limits of free speech. Talking bad about one’s current president would have rarely happened thirty years ago.
In comparing the coverage of very sensitive news like the Iraq War in a mainstream newspaper and an online news contributor like CNN or FOX News, I notice there isn’t much difference. So in order for me to notice a difference in coverage, I had to compare mainstream newspapers to political blogs. I decided to compare my hometown newspaper, The Buffalo News and the popular political news site/blog Daily Kos. The website address for Daily Kos is dailykos.com. This particular Buffalo News article can be found on the front page on March 28th, 2007. The Daily Kos blog article is still on the front page as of March 29, 2007.
I don’t think I need to spend much time explaining the format or presentation of news in the Buffalo News because there isn’t much to explain. In this newspaper and many others, news is reported, not commentated on. If the news is commentated on, it is often very subtle that many readers don’t think twice about it. Most daily newspapers are considered neutral with a hint of liberalism or conservative-ism (I know it’s not a word). For example, the Washington Times is considered to be slightly more on the conservative side, whereas the Washington Post is slightly more on the liberal side.
In viewing the front page of the Daily Kos, text appears very scattered and random. But on the left hand side are all of the latest news and stories regarding politics. One thing I notice is that titles tend to be more creative than in newspapers. I notice in comparing the recent demand by the senate for Iraq troop pullout by 2008 that the Buffalo News summarizes the article, where Daily Kos seems to give a more general yet creative title. The title of the Buffalo News article is “Senate keeps demand for Iraq pullout in funding bill.” The title of the topic on Daily Kos is “Libercrats increasingly isolated.” First of all, “Libercrats” isn’t even a real word and wouldn’t be acceptable for a mainstream newspaper.
The structure of the news within the article is very opinionated and contains many quotes from numerous democrats. Each quote is dissected by the author (who is not named) and is usually disagreed with. The author appears very liberal yet criticizes many other democrats, who have commented on the current situation in Iraq. According to Mary Jones, political blogs have become increasingly popular because the intense conversations witnessed on blogs can generate far more excitement than anyone could possibly get reading a newspaper (Jones). Furthermore, the fact that you don’t have to have credentials to participate, generates an increasingly powerful membership, where you as a member can know for sure that your note to the author will make it on the website and made visible to all.
According to an article written by Eric Black for the Star Tribune, as of 2005, newspaper readership is declining mainly due to fewer baby boomers each year, who weren’t raised with televisions. The fact that online blogs can offer high resolution pictures, video clips, and numerous quotes, attract more readers than newspapers can.
Is declining newspaper readership a trend that will continue or is it just a phase? It would make sense that this trend will continue due to the ever changing possibilities of the internet. I believe that internet based websites that distribute news will establish more credibility among authors because facts can be checked on other websites with the click of the mouse. Instead of hearing one side of the story in newspapers, you can hear multiple rebuttals to opinions and comments to help establish an educated opinion. I believe that internet blogs help establish the freedom of speech and make news gathering more convenient and efficient. As long as membership to these blogs remains free of charge, we will continue to see increased growth and importance of these blogs.

References

Black, E. (2005, October 11). Newspapers turn page in this new media age.
Retrived March 29, 2007 from http://web.lexis-nexis.com.gate.lib.buffalo.edu/universe/

Jones. M,L. (2007, February). Political Gamesmanship.
Retrieved March, 28, 2007 from http://web.lexis-nexis.com.gate.lib.buffalo.edu/universe/