Liveblogging can really augment widely followed conferences, and also support casual uses such as updating sports statistics. How many people sit at work or home constantly refreshing websites to make sure the numbers are accurate for their fantasy leagues or other pools?

Last week, Geoff and I attended the first round of the NCAA tournament here in Washington, D.C. As I watched the men and women sitting on the sidelines with their laptops updating game statistics in a fury, it got me thinking about the old debate of bloggers vs. journalists.

Some political groups have made exceptions for bloggers, welcoming them to events such as town hall meetings, conventions, and even special gatherings just for bloggers. Many corporate conferences also allow bloggers to attend and cover events. Where would we be without liveblogging from large events such as MacWorld and the Consumer Electronics Show?

But, what about sports?

A recent chat with sports writer Michael Wilbon on the Mark Cuban debate brought up the topic:

Washington, D.C.: Mark Cuban has banned a Dallas Morning News blogger from his locker room. Says a blog is a blog is a blog and he doesn’t have space for all the bloggers. Do you agree with this?
How long before Steinberg has to wait outside the Redskins locker room?
Michael Wilbon: I’m not going to rail against bloggers or assess their rights to access. But I’m not going to defend all the bloggers either. I see stuff in blogs that is incomprehensibly stupid and uninformed, and blogs that are well-written and very well done…I need to know more about this situation, who the blogger is, etc. I know Mark Cuban reasonably well…I know how open he is, how accessible he is…He talked to reporters all the time with whom he disagrees…I want to know more about this situation.

It appears that even though Mark Cuban has a very well-read and respected blog, he doesn’t see the need for bloggers to be active in covering live events. He is right in questioning if bloggers should be considered journalists and granted access. Many bloggers don’t have the same background, experience, importance and influence as traditional media, but what about those who do?

Blogger Influence

The truth is, bloggers are important to traditional media.

1. They have the potential to influence traditional media. Even Forbes has changed its tune: “There is no denying the growing importance and influence of blogs within the media landscape,” said Forbes.com President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Spanfeller.
2. Bloggers can start viral messages that call the general public to action.
3. Bloggers can break open stories that traditional media picks up.

Although many Americans have not yet accepted blogs as a significant news source, user-generated content is at a high according to a recent report, State of the News Media, which gives this statistic:

…Sources for stories tended to differ from the mainstream press. Blogs by non-journalists proved to be the most popular source, making up 40% of the stories. Nearly 31% of stories originated on sites such as YouTube and Technorati that also offer citizen-generated content.

So What?

Perhaps the relationship between bloggers, corporations, and media are changing; but for this particular altercation, one step in the right direction would be for sports teams and organizations to invite prominent local bloggers (from publications and personal blogs) and relevant national ones to attend games as members of the press. This will show that the industry recognizes the importance of, and is open to relationships with bloggers.

(Photo Credit: Joe Mason)

From liveblogging events that are important to the general public to influencing traditional media, there is no question that bloggers are changing the game when it comes to reporting and (citizen) journalism. Let’s make sure that when respect is due, we’re giving it.