……….except….perhaps there is one instance I know of where there is at least ONE objective journalist at work: Margaret Newkirk at the AJC, who is doing a rip-roaring balanced job on reporting the truth about the board of Cobb EMC diverting/funneling not-for-profit co-op resources into a for-profit enterprise of which they themselves are stockholders.

SHE deserves a Pulitzer in every sense of the word.

Surely you oppose outside supervision of bloggers just as you would outside supervision of newspapers?

For the record, I’ve never called myself a journalist and I don’t consider myself one.

The Associated Press does not monitor not does it insure standards for journalists. The AP is a cooperative news service owned by it’s members (newspapers, radio and television stations and networks). It’s sole role is to gather news and distribute it to its member-owners.

As a former broadcast journalist, I must say that I have seen far better reporting from many so-called citizen journalists than from many that Mr. Hazinski would probably allow to practice the profession without a test.

Realize that Mr. Hazinski is in the business of training and certifying journalists. He is a partner in a consulting company devoted to charging fees for the service – IMC Intelligent Media Consultants (http://www.intelligentmc.com).

I think before Mr. Hazinski’s comments gain too much credibility or support (which, based upon the tone of comments since he offered his opinion, doesn’t seem too likely) that he elaborate more on his motives and agenda.

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone, Mr. Hazinski.

I actually agree with something Bortz said outside of the W.O.D.

*blink*

Here are Boortz’ show notes on the subject:

REGULATE CITIZEN JOURNALISM

David Hazinski, the head of broadcast news at the University of Georgia, feels that regulation is the only way to have proper news. Hazinski says that “citizen journalism” like blogs or YouTube isn’t really journalism and opens the industry to fraud and abuse. So rather than letting the public decide what they want to read or watch, Hazinski has a better idea: Regulate. Monitor and regulate this new industry.

That’s right … regulate. This journalism professor at Georgia wants what he considers to be the legitimate journalism outlets to find a way for regulate “citizen journalism.” That, by the way, includes, in Hazinski’s words, “political blogs.” Now you may not realize it, but what you’re reading right now would be considered a political blog.

Now just what does Hazinski mean by “regulate?” Can you have regulation without enforcement? And just who is out there that could regulate Nealz Nuze or other political websites? The answer, though he dares not say it in just these words, is none other than our wonderful government.

So here are some of Hazinski’s ideas on how to regulate those evil citizen journalists.

Major news organizations must create standards to substantiate citizen-contributed information and video, and ensure its accuracy and authenticity.

They should clarify and reinforce their own standards and work through trade organizations to enforce national standards so they have real meaning.

Journalism schools such as his at the University of Georgia should create mini-courses to certify citizen journalists in proper ethics and procedures, much as volunteer teachers, paramedics and sheriff’s auxiliaries are trained and certified.

Just remember, folks. I am not a journalist. I never claim to be. I am a private citizen with a website and a radio show. I get to express my opinions in a country where the freedom to express one’s opinions is supposedly cherished. This UGA professor is upset with this. He wants regulation. I think he owes us another column sometime soon telling us just exactly what he believes the governments role should be in enforcing these standards he wants to establish.

Remember, I am here to entertain you. Anything that you hear on the show or read on this website … research it for yourself. What Hazinski wants you to believe is that journalists are the be-all-end-all in news because they are licensed by the government. He does not believe that you have any capability of thinking for yourself or researching on your own to determine what you believe to be the truth.

That’s what the free market is all about. Report shoddy news, you have no value to the public, hence no visitors. Report fictitious accounts to defame people, then lose credibility, which others would be free to point out. In the end, the consumer decides who is credible and who to trust, and not some unaccountable bureaucrat.

Thus the system works as is.

Icarus,

I thought you were taking Huckabee’s lead and invoking God in order to save the embarassment of being Rainbowed in the Cotton Bowl. Georgia will learn that aloha also means goodbye.

Keen

I was at work and halfway listening to Glenn Beck.

Why don’t you enlighten us with Mr. Boortz’s wisdom on the subject?

All the “improvement” it needs is a bulldozer and a month or two of hauling debris, and it has all the improvement it needs.

Anyway, someone should tell Hazinski that “citizen doctors” also do not have a first amendment allowing them to practice medicine, while bloggers do.