Continuing excerpts and cites on the blogging as journalism debate:

From Andrew Sullivan: “In fact, I’d argue, blogs could well be a milestone in the long history of journalism. By empowering individual writers, by reducing the costs of entry into publishing to close to zero, the blog revolution has only begun to transform the media world.” “Peer-to-peer journalism, I realized, had a huge advantage over old-style journalism. It could marshall the knowledge and resources of thousands, rather than the certitudes of the few.” “But if the goal of opinion journalism is not ultimately money but influence and readers, the blogs are already breathing down the old media’s neck. In a bid to co-opt the trend, National Review Online recently added its own blogging section. Slate and Salon – the two major online magazines – are gradually shifting in the same direction.” “In that sense, blogging is the first journalistic model that actually harnesses rather than merely exploits the true democratic nature of the web.” A really excellent recap of his blogging efforts.

And Dan Gilmor: “My guiding principles in journalism are the usual ones. I believe in getting it right, being fair, shining lights on things that are hidden when they affect the public good, etc. But I have developed another guiding principle in the way I do this craft. My readers know more than I do. And if we can all take advantage of that, in the best sense of the expression, we will all be better informed. Doing the blog has helped bring me that understanding. I’m grateful for having learned what every journalist should know, and for realizing that it is not a threat that my readers know more than I do. It’s a gift.”

What a cool thing it would be to adapt the weblog model to the school paper. And the part that really resonates with me here is the “audience participation” part of it. In my dream world, The Lamp becomes the clearinghouse for student information, ideas, discussions, news, etc. Think of that model! News as it happens…the old paper deadlines are gone and the digital version becomes this organic, easily updatable place where students not only get information but enter the discussion. (I keep seeing “LampFilter” again.) Kids register with school web addresses to keep the posts legit. We promote it as the place where discussions about HC happen. It’s moderated for appropriateness. Rules of participation apply, but the forum is the key. I just think that would be so intensely great!