Can bloggers be journalists? It’s a debate that raged for years in the U.S. (far too long if you ask me), and it can still raise hackles. In Baku, Azerbaijan, it could mean the difference between having a free press or not.
Visiting Baku this week and speaking with different groups of journalists and journalism students, the question whether bloggers can be journalists surfaces time and again. In Baku, where newspapers must be granted a media license from the government to publish, blogging is one of the only outlets for truly independent journalism to reach and audience. It’s so important to emerging democracies like Azerbaijan, formerly a part of the Soviet Union, that President Obama signed the Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act this week, hoping to promote a free press around the world.
Rashad Shirin translates what I had just said for a group of journalists at the American Center, University of Languages, Baku.
“One important thing you should be teaching them is to check facts and to write balanced pieces, not propaganda which can easily be discredited,” advised Onnik Krikorian, an editor for Global Voices Online in the region, by email. “There needs to be some journalistic skills introduced into their blogging to make it more effective, especially when it comes to checking facts or identifying what is speculation, gossip or rumor and what is fact.”
The debate is different than in the U.S., where access to prominent events like the Winter Olympics seems to be the last battlefield for bloggers. Here, bloggers who would like to produce independent journalism are fearful of being misunderstood and silenced by the government. The mainstream newspapers don’t do any blogging on their websites either, so it remains a this-or-that situation, much like we had in the U.S. before about 2006. (In my presentation, I show the NY Times blog page, which has dozens of blogs, and explain how dismissive most American newsrooms were of blogging just five years ago.)
Mark Briggs 
Posted in 
Tags: 
I simply want to mention I am all new to weblog and certainly liked this website. Almost certainly I’m likely to bookmark your site . You really have exceptional posts. Appreciate it for sharing with us your website.
I do enjoy the manner in which you have framed this specific issue and it really does provide me a lot of fodder for consideration. However, from just what I have seen, I just trust as other feedback pack on that individuals keep on point and in no way embark on a tirade of some other news of the day. Anyway, thank you for this outstanding point and even though I do not agree with it in totality, I value the viewpoint.
You created some decent points there. I looked over the internet for any problem and found most individuals goes as well as with your web site.
I’ve observed that in the world today, video games include the latest rage with kids of all ages. There are times when it may be impossible to drag your son or daughter away from the activities. If you want the very best of both worlds, there are lots of educational activities for kids. Thanks for your post.
webpage : https://www.wooricasinokorea.com 우리카지노
An intriguing discussion is definitely worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you ought to publish more about this subject, it might not be a taboo matter but generally people don’t talk about these topics. To the next! All the best.
I like looking through a post that will make men and women think. Also, thank you for permitting me to comment.
Having read this I thought it was rather informative. I appreciate you spending some time and effort to put this informative article together. I once again find myself spending way too much time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!
I was able to find good advice from your blog articles.
You are so interesting! I do not believe I have read through something like this before. So good to find someone with unique thoughts on this issue. Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This web site is one thing that is required on the internet, someone with some originality.
I could not refrain from commenting. Well written.
I have observed that in the world of today, video games are classified as the latest rage with kids of all ages. Occasionally it may be not possible to drag the kids away from the games. If you want the best of both worlds, there are many educational video games for kids. Interesting post.
Like!! Thank you for publishing this awesome article.
A big thank you for your article.
Hi there, after reading this amazing paragraph i am as well delighted to share my knowledge here with friends.
bookmarked!!, I like your blog!
Do you believe past life regression? Do you think is reincarnation real?
This is a topic that’s close to my heart… Best wishes! Where are your contact details though?
Varick Street Litho , VSL Print is one of the top printing company in NYC to provide the best Digital Printing, Offset Printing and Large Format Printing in New York. Their printing services in NYC adopts state of the art digital printing services and offset digital printing for products postcards, business cards, catalogs, brochures, stickers, flyers, large format posters, banners and more for business in NYC. For more information on their digital printing nyc, visit http://www.vslprint.com/ or http://www.vslprint.com/printing at 121 Varick St, New York, NY 10013, US. Or contact +1 646 843 0800
I was very happy to discover this site. I want to to thank you for ones time due to this wonderful read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it and i also have you book-marked to check out new stuff in your website.
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you penning this post plus the rest of the site is extremely good.
That is a really good tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere. Short but very accurate information… Thanks for sharing this one. A must read post!
Faytech North America is a touch screen Manufacturer of both monitors and pcs. They specialize in the design, development, manufacturing and marketing of Capacitive touch screen, Resistive touch screen, Industrial touch screen, IP65 touch screen, touchscreen monitors and integrated touchscreen PCs. Contact them at http://www.faytech.us, 121 Varick Street, New York, NY 10013, +1 646 205 3214.
Spot on with this write-up, I actually believe that this amazing site needs far more attention. I’ll probably be back again to see more, thanks for the information!
There is certainly a lot to find out about this topic. I love all the points you’ve made.
Howdy, There’s no doubt that your web site could be having web browser compatibility problems. When I take a look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine however, if opening in IE, it’s got some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Apart from that, great website!