Bloggers -- Independent Journalists

Who needs a regular gig with a traditional news outlet?

Independent bloggers/journalists are breaking news stories. According to editorsweblog.org, online journalist and blogger John Gorenfeld in June was the first to report that Washington Times owner Sun Myung Moon "apparently declared himself the Messiah and was crowned -- by a congressman -- at a ceremony on March 23 held in a Senate office building." The Washington Post picked up the story, giving it front-page placement.

This is an example of a journalist who uses a blog to self-publish when time or other factors prevent a story from finding a home in a traditional media outlet. But another interesting issue is the rise of "amateur journalists," or bloggers with no journalism training who sort of fall into reporting news. More on that next time.

(Check out Gorenfeld's blog here.)