Several bloggers are headed to the Democratic National Convention.
Don’t get me wrong here: if I had the opportunity (and the money), I’d be inclined to go myself. I’m sure it would be quite interesting. But unless these bloggers are willing to give the scoop on inside stuff (and I’m not inclined to believe they are since some of it is negative) is their “coverage” likely to offer much in the way of news? The TV networks are offering minimal coverage of the conventions, in part, because they have largely become staged infomercials. And while they are fun for political junkies, I’m not sure how much “newsworthy” output bloggers will add to the coverage.
I could be wrong though. We’ll see.
UPDATE: Jay Rosen has a lengthy counterpoint arguing that the old regimes in convention reporting and commentary have contributed to their downfall and bloggers can bring rewneal. I think this overstates the current impact of blogging, but it’s an interesting read.
Thanks for the mention, and the interest. It’s Jay Rosen, with a J. And, if I may, in that essay I go out of my way to stress that the boggers are a tiny group who cannot make a dent in the big narrative of the convention. And that is overstating it?
Sorry about that. A rushed appendage.