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This study examines the influence of j-bloggers on traditional journalistic practices, particularly focusing on non-partisanship and gatekeeping.

April 27, 2005Open Access

The political j-blogger

Key Points

This study examines the influence of j-bloggers on traditional journalistic practices, particularly focusing on non-partisanship and gatekeeping.
Content analysis of 20 weblogs related to politics and civic affairs.
Focused on aspects of non-partisanship, transparency, and gatekeeping roles.
Investigated how journalists use blogs to link to other media sources.
Most j-bloggers express opinions while striving to uphold traditional journalistic gatekeeping.
The use of links predominantly connects to mainstream media, reinforcing existing norms.
Journalists are integrating blogs as enhancements rather than replacements of traditional practices.

Abstract

This study explores how the increasingly popular blog format, as adopted by journalists affiliated with mainstream media outlets, affects long-standing journalistic norms and practice. It focuses on non-partisanship, transparency and the gatekeeping role, using a content analysis of 20 weblogs dealing with politics or civic affairs. Although expressions of opinion are common, most journalists are seeking to remain gatekeepers even in this highly interactive and participatory format. Political j-bloggers use links extensively - but mostly to other mainstream media sites. At least in their early use, journalists are ‘normalizing’ the blog as a component, and in some ways an enhancement, of traditional journalistic norms and practices.

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