Are Bloggers Journalists?

Mashable published a story this week about a blogger who was fine $2.5 million by a judge because they were not a journalist.

So that's the big question: are bloggers journalists?

In my opinion, it depends.

Some professional journalists blog as part of their job. They are journalists.

But just because an individual can post a blog, choose a topic, and begin to write does not qualify as a journalist, at least in my book.

To dub bloggers as journalists somewhat cheapens a profession that is dedicated to objective, fact-based reporting. Journalists are trained in their craft and hold an ethical standard in terms of reporting truth based on fact in an objective manner.

Journalism's credibility is supported by the checks and balances of the editorial process. While one could argue there is no such thing, all respectable news outlets employ some sort of editorial process that holds reporters accountable with regard to fact-checking and quality control.  With most blogs, this one included, it's a one person show.

You can put me behind the wheel of a race car but that does not make me a race car driver. It makes me dangerous. The same goes for bloggers, IMHO.

What do you think?

Should bloggers enjoy the same protections as professional journalists?

Is there a threshold that defines when a blogger crosses over into the official realm of professional journalism?

Posting from Blog Press

Downloaded BlogPress from the App Store to more efficiently post to the blog from the iPad. This is my first test run post.

BlogPress allows you to post video, photos and other content more easily from iPad than from trying to do so through the Safari browser.

Here is a picture one of my kids made with a drawing app.




-- Post From My iPad

How to post to Blogger from iPad (and other reflections)

One of the initial shortfalls I discovered with my iPad is that I am not easily able to utilize the Blogger posting tool to update this blog.

After some careful experimentation, I discovered that if I switch the editing tool to the "edit HTML" mode, it does allow me to interface.

So far the experience with the iPad has been very positive. While some are airing complaints about Wifi connectivity and overheating batteries, I have not had that experience. As a matter of fact, this has been one of the better tech device experiences I have ever had. Not a lot of bugs, and a lot of "up" time using the device with positive results.

The simplicity of the iPad is a huge asset. The interface is so simple, even my anti-tech mother said she would like to have one of these devices. That type of response has been typical of most everyone who has taken my Ipad for a test drive.

A laptop killer? Not certain of that yet. A net book killer? Maybe. A mouse killer? Yes.

Probably the greatest irony of the IPad is that Apple brought the computer mouse into the world and this device probably spells it's demise.