Popular Music Journalism: Topic 5

5. Is blogging journalism?

Certainly an interesting question. In short however, just because you are using a blog to display certain information, this doesn't deem it journalism in the traditional sense. Blogs, or rather web blogging, is merely a platform, much in the same way paper is to print. In its simplest form, blogging could be perceived as a form of indepedent journalism perhaps, but I feel blogging is just a means of an individual being provided with an outlet to publish and express their own opinion. "Blogging is no more journalism than e-mail, Twitter or even newspapers or TV stations are journalism. They are tools - ways to disseminate informations" (Chen, 2009)

Journalism in the traditional sense is not always reflective of the writers own opinion. Working on behalf of a publication / company means that on occasion their agenda will always be forefront and that means the writers true opinion may be sidelined in favour of the magazines target demographic. This is particularly true when reference to publications such as Kerrang / NME is made. Both these magazines have clear audiences and to a certain degree they have to play to this notion. In direct contrast to print journalism, the use of online blogging is ones honest opinion. Blogging is certainly not free from bias but generally speaking there is not a target market to cater to. "Perhaps one attraction of blogging lies in its unmediated and dynamic quality...without an agenda, editorial stance, or pedantic sub-editor standing between the writer and reader, blogging can provide reportage in a raw and exciting form" (Raynsford, 2003)

I think that culture has accepted the notion that the ideas and opinions expressed in print journalism in turn represent those of the target audience, in contrast to blogging where generally the lines between opinion and fact can be blurred. Another issue to address would be the route taken to become a professional journalist (in print form), meaning that subsequent understanding/training of ethical and moral policies suggest these individuals would be better versed in the way of journalism. But what stops this person from blogging? In this instance there is a clear distinction between those who are qualified journalists well versed in the manner of which journalistic features need to be delivered, against an individual who can submit an article online and deem it journalism.

A better question to consider is thus; can types of blogging be deemed journalism? Certainly there are forms of blogging out there which could be defined as journalism, but this isn't to account for each and every blog out there; "if journalism is the imparting of verifiable facts to a general audience through a mass medium, then most blogs fall well short of meeting the standard" (Andrews, 2003)

ANDREWS, 2003. Is Blogging Journalism? [online] [viewed 6 May 2011]. Available from: http://www.nieman.harvard.edu/reports/article/101027/Is-Blogging-Journalism.aspx

CHEN, 2009. Is blogging journalism? [online] [viewed 6 May 2011]. Available from: http://savethemedia.com/2009/03/28/is-blogging-journalism/

RAYNSFORD, 2003. Blogging: the new journalism? [online] [viewed 6 May 2011]. Available from: http://www.journalism.co.uk/news-features/blogging-the-new-journalism-/s5/a5604/