Bloggers


Stilgherrian: What do journos do better, exactly?

The “bloggers vs. journalists” debate is stupid, says Stilgherrian: of course journalists are better at journalism — they’re the ones doing it. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t other important roles people can play in the broader media community.

The internet ushers in the age of the ‘amafessional’

The internet has allowed amateurs to directly rival professionals in opportunity, talent, quality and price, says Mark Penn — and not just in the field of journalism; bedroom musicians, artists and authors are all shaking up their respective fields with some serious competition.

When online journalists moonlight as copy-writers

Sites like Gawker and Thrillist are now penning their advertisers’ copy for them in “sponsored posts”, to help the brands fit in with the “vibe” of their sites. Are they crossing the fine line between advertising and editorial?

25 bloggers you should read (but probably don’t)

Mediaite has put together a list of the “most talented and influential bloggers” who often fly under the internet’s radar. It’s a great list full of must-reads, though we’d contend that the likes of Andrew Breitbart and Michael Arrington hardly count as “underrated”.

Are independent political blogs dead?

With the leading political blogs increasingly backed by big media outlets, are the days of needing only a PC and an opinion to be an popular online pundit over?

Bolt’s blog: why the apologies will continue

As long as there are no strict guidelines about what the blogger and parent organisation deem to be acceptable reader commentary, we will continue to see more of the same at Andrew Bolt’s blog. Meaning, homophobic comments.

Interview with Iranian blogger: stuff nuclear weapons, what about people’s lives?

Prolific Iranian blogger Mojtaba Saminejad updates the NY Times on the anger still bubbling inside Iran and why sanctions for nuclear weapons misses the human rights issues.

Political snippets: Bloggers beware — here comes the FTC

America’s Federal Trade Commission is cracking down on bloggers taking cash for comment, and how the global recession may have reduced carbon emissions.

The Web’s biggest wankers

A round-up of the online world’s top 10 blowhards, including Michael Arrington, Arianna Huffington and Robert Scoble. We could easily reel off 100, but it’s a good start.

Can bloggers pull a sickie?

An amusing Gawker post recently exposed the large number of sick days taken by Deadline Hollywood Daily’s Nikki Finke. But as blogging become a “real” job, it raises a genuine puzzler for the media industry: can you pull a sickie for a job you already do on the couch in your PJs?

What are the secrets to a happy marriage?

A variety of well known bloggers give out their marriage secrets, from pancakes and coffee in the mornings to writing love notes and having drunken sex whenever possible.

TED: Ideas not worth spreading

Here at Crikey we’re pretty big fans of the inspiring TED speeches. But are they completely overrated? New Matilda thinks so.

Bloggers who are really, really, ridiculously good looking

Fashion models are not typically known for their powerful intellects or English language skills, but a number of catwalkers are shattering the stereotypes online with their interesting, and sometimes even eloquent, blogs.

Ass-erbaijan: donkey bloggers face prison

Two bloggers from Azerbaijan have been arrested for posting a YouTube video of a donkey giving a news conference — a spoof of the government’s press conferences.

Snap! Stalk your way to fashion blogger fame

Want to know how to get yourself on a blog like Garance Doré’s? Refinery 29 have put together some hints for getting snapped by the biggest fashion bloggers. It helps if you live in NYC…

Homeless blogger scores Elle internship

Blogger,”Bri” lives in a Wal-Mart parking lot and, as of next month, is the newest recruit at Elle magazine. The charming story of how she scored the gig offers some hope for the future of both humanity and journalism.

Skank blogger to sue Google

Blogger Rosemary Port is planning to file a $15 million law suit against Google after the web giant publicly outed her as the author of a controversial blog called “Skanks in NYC”.

Crikey seeks women: for conversation, companionship and fun times

Crikey wants to pull more chicks: tell us how.

Where are Australia’s female political bloggers?

Why is the Australian political blogosphere such a sausage-fest? asks Possum Comitatus. Where are the dedicated Australian women political bloggers of the likes of America’s Wonkette or Pandagon?

News Ltd and the cold shoulder of redundancy

The journalists’ union is taking a hard look at News Limited’s redundancies, writes Christopher Warren.

Is WashPo’s loss HuffPo’s gain?

The Huffington Post has signed up political columnist Dan Froomkin to be its Washington Bureau Chief, after his popular online column was dumped by the Washington Post recently. Is it a perfect match, or flirting with disaster?

Newspapers and bloggers: isn’t there room for everyone?

The failure to adapt a product to a market is bad business, but the petulant bitching and moaning from dinosaur media chiefs is just bad form, writes Scott Bridges

Hartigan on old and new media

The irony of Hartigan talking about bloggers and citizen journalists getting the facts wrong, after a month when we have seen the media outlets publish a fraudulent email, is palpable. Pure Poison — and readers — weigh in on John Hartigan’s attack on new media.

Froomkin on being dumped by the Washington Post

Now former Washington Post political blogger, Dan Froomkin, speaks out on his unceremonious dismissal from his post.

Washington Post fires Froomkin

The Washington Post have boned left-wing blogger Dan Froomkin, one of the paper’s most outspoken (and often only) voices against the Iraq War during the Bush years.