Not too long ago, if I were to think about what a blog was, I would imagine a space on the internet filled with someone’s self-consumed thoughts, a public diary, a place to vent and rant to some unknown audience. I still say most blogs out there are these things, but now, instead of feeling negative toward the blog, I see potential for a better sort of journalism and the spread of focused knowledge.

Blogs bring about a prospect of the amateur journalist, one who is passionate about a topic or issue, one who is committed to bringing an honest perspective that isn’t distorted by corporate interests. They can focus on a certain issue for as long of a time as they want and say what they really want to say. As Dan Gillmor says in Lasica’s “Blogging as a Form of Journalism”, “the idea of talented amateurs becoming part of the conversation is just the next logical step” (175).

There are problems with the amateur journalist though. Since there are no gatekeepers checking the amateur’s information, it is up to the reader to tell whether or not their information is reliable. To solve this problem other journalists, by checking each other’s work will make the information deemed as trustworthy and, in doing so, will relieve the reader of that duty. This “reputation engine,” as Doc Searls calls it, will increase a journalist’s expertise (178).

Another problem is the lack of pay that the amateur will get for his/her work. It seems very few people would take on such a job without some kind of payment. I can only hope that there are more amateur journalists who write for the love of it and are satisfied without monetary reward.

The amateur journalist as blogger is an exciting concept for me. I look forward to seeing how this new form of journalism will evolve.