What Nicholas Kristof and the Denver Broncos Suggest about New News Sources

Raza, it seems to me that Maha points out a hole in your paper. Namely, I think that this paper should address the concept of "sources" in the future of news. I have a few examples that I think will be helpful to your paper, and also refute some of Maha's assertions.

Maha, I read your first paragraph above as saying that "bloggers are different than real reporters because real reporters have sources, and bloggers don't have the time (or money) to maintain sources." Remaining in the world of sports, I would like to direct both of you to the ProFootballTalk Rumor-Mill. The Rumor-Mill is likely the most important source of insider information for journalists, the public, agents, players and management in the NFL. It was created by Mike Florio, a West Virginian lawyer, in 2001 as a means of trying to promote his self published book, 'Quarterback of the Future'. (The book looks terrible, its about time traveling football players). However, he has sources in powerful places - and by updating every day and communicating with sources and fans he was able to build a business with sponsors such as nfl.com and Sprint. Thus, through something Raza does address, credibility, and something he doesn't, sources, Mr. Florio was able to turn his hobby blog into a journalism business while maintaining his law practice. He even began delivering opinion via youtube. So I don't agree with Maha's point that bloggers are any different that reporters. Once you begin to get credibility and sources, you will likely get more of both and, if intelligent, can turn web traffic into sponsorship.

As to Maha's second point, which I read as saying that we will lose content without a print media. People may not cover school boards any more, but there may be more stories that surface with new media. Maha's assertion that bloggers don't break stories is refuted by the Florio example, as well as this website. As reported here Jeff Pataky, the blogger who runs Bad Phoenix Cops, uses contacts in the police department to break stories about police misconduct. I would argue that a blogger is more likely to be able to hold police accountable because of the political pressures against that type of investigation for the 'traditional' press, so content that would not have seen the light of day before will be able to surface. People, through the blogger's reputation and credibility, will be able to judge the truth of the allegations.

-- JustinColannino - 09 Apr 2009