I encountered this entry today at AMERICABlog, a leading progressive blog that I read regularly. It is published by John Aravosis, a Washington attorney and activist.(By way of background, Mr. Aravosis is an increasingly well-known media figure, with numerous recent appearances on CNN and other US cable news outlets. He is described in his profile as "a Washington DC-based writer and political strategist, specializing in using the Internet for political advocacy.")
Had a really interesting day today. Atrios, KagroX from DailyKos and I were invited to sit down to lunch in the US Capitol building with a group of 20 or so Democratic Senators and talk about the blogs. The lunch was off the record, meaning I can't tell you what anyone said, but since the Washington Post already reported the other day that the talk was talking place, I'm not breaking any confidences by mentioning it. Basically, it was a chance to sit down with the Senators and help them get to know the blogosphere better. I worked in the Senate in the late 80s and early 90s, so I've met Senators before, but never as the expert in the room. It was really quite interesting, and fun, and I think mutually beneficial. (emphasis added)
Am I the only one who sees this kind of meeting as problematic?
By Mr. Aravosis' account, the only reason he is at liberty to even mention the meeting is that it was previously busted by the Washington Post. Otherwise, I presume there would have been no disclosure at all.
Why should any blogger, influential or otherwise, agree to "off the record" terms and conditions from elected officials?
The independence of the "blogosphere" as a media entity will not long survive the kind of co-opting pressures that are by definition associated with acceptance of invitations to hush, hush special meetings with legislators.
These meetings essentially create an elite group of favoured, political bloggers with special access - and special restrictions. And while I genuinely do congratulate those who have achieved the stature (for good reason) to be included in these high-level encounters, I do not see this as a good, long-term thing at all.
Soon, I suspect, there will be a Democrat in the White House.
Will liberal bloggers be carrying that new Administration's water, as their right-wing counterparts now so transparently do, or will they maintain an unaligned and objective stance that favours truth above party loyalty? Will they be truth-tellers or agents of party apparatus, formulating and spouting talking points?
In short, are these bloggers going to be independent journalists or political operatives ?
The independence of the "blogosphere" as a media entity will not long survive the kind of co-opting pressures that are by definition associated with acceptance of invitations to hush, hush special meetings with legislators.
These meetings essentially create an elite group of favoured, political bloggers with special access - and special restrictions. And while I genuinely do congratulate those who have achieved the stature (for good reason) to be included in these high-level encounters, I do not see this as a good, long-term thing at all.
Soon, I suspect, there will be a Democrat in the White House.
Will liberal bloggers be carrying that new Administration's water, as their right-wing counterparts now so transparently do, or will they maintain an unaligned and objective stance that favours truth above party loyalty? Will they be truth-tellers or agents of party apparatus, formulating and spouting talking points?
In short, are these bloggers going to be independent journalists or political operatives ?
It is on this question that the future of political blogs, as we know them, will turn.
- Garry J. Wise, Toronto
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