- Sunday
- 13th July 2008
- Category
- Up for Debate
- Author
- Phil Lewis
The new criticism?
There was an interesting article in the Observer today asking whether blogging is killing the critic's 'art'.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about it was that the writer chose to focus on individual examples rather than the wider issue of print versus digital media - of which blogging is only a part, of course. This would have been fine if the argument had broadened out, but it didn't, and ultimately the article don't work.
At its heart, the question here is not whether this or that critic is more authoritative or entertaining than this or that blogger, but how consumer wants and needs might be driving engagement with one channel in relation to another - and in the process altering the nature of journalism, both professional and amateur. Indeed, in the digital age, to what extent professionalism even matters is a moot point, don't you think?
Comment
Wed 16th July 2008
at 8:39
There is now an increasing level of defensiveness amongst MSM (Main Stream Media) commentators across the board about the amateur nature of blogging vs. the professional journalists. Those working in the dead tree press most often state that bloggers do not have the experience to comment when compared to those who have carved out careers in professional media. In doing so, they miss a number of key points:
1. Blogging is the only truly open and democratic medium available for comment. Anyone can set up a blog and while the quality of many is questionable, a significant number are highly researched and the opinions eloquently and lucidly written (even if sometimes expressed in ways that may shock)
2. Consumers trust independent opinion much more than that given by what is perceived to be biased MSM… hence the renaming of the BBC to the ‘Brown Broadcasting Corporation’
3. The same consumers can respond on their own terms and if they strongly disagree with the subject matter can make their point very plainly in the full knowledge that their comments will not be censored. Try the same approach with your letter to The Times and see what happens
4. The simple way for the MSM commentators and journalists to respond is to respond in kind by setting up their own blogs (see Benedict Brogan below for a good example). It is likely that in doing so they may gain more credibility and perhaps even prompt consumers to buy dead tree press that they may not have otherwise purchased
So when you do read articles like this (as you surely will) consider whether the writer is being truly objective… or whether they are defending what is increasingly becoming indefensible.
PS: The writer must declare an interest… of sorts. Being very interested in politics (I know, I know) there are number of blogs that he reads every day. I’d recommend that you go have a look. Those of a more delicate nature may wish to avoid Guido and The Devil’s Kitchen though:
http://www.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/ (Spectator Coffee House)
http://www.iaindale.blogspot.com/ (Iain Dale)
http://devilskitchen.me.uk/ (The Devil’s Kitchen)
http://www.order-order.com/ (Guido Fawkes)
http://dizzythinks.net/ (Dizzy Thinks)
http://burningourmoney.blogspot.com/ (Burning our Money)
http://www.adamsmith.org/blog/ (The Adam Smith Institute)
http://broganblog.dailymail.co.uk/ (Benedict Brogan)
http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/ (John Redwood)
http://tonysharp.blogspot.com/ (The Waendel Journal)
http://eureferendum.blogspot.com/ (EU Referendum)
http://brackenworld.blogspot.com/ (A Very British Dude)
... to list a few
Comment
Thu 17th July 2008
at 16:54
With regard to journalistic criticism vs blogs, there are a lot of instances where I prefer the latter, particularly if I’m planning on buying a product.
The last few times I’ve bought a new mobile phone for example, I’ve looked to blogs about a specific model that I’ve been considering. Compared to a single professionally written review (largely about spec and ‘usability’), a blog is always likely to contain 10+ reviews that are relatively quick to read, each highlighting a different factor of interest and all of which are likely to help you form a judgment on whether it’ll be a good purchase.
As with any digital Vs paper argument, everything is so much quicker, and when it comes to technology, the chances are that there’ll be users commenting on something you’re interested in months before it’s even due for release at home.
To that end, it wouldn’t surprise me if journalistic critiques and reviews become less popular as more and more people look to online blogs when seeking an opinion on pretty much anything!