Democracy Defended: Polibloggers and the Politics Press In America
May 5, 2008 cowenk
Erica Johnson’s article, Democracy Defended: Polibloggers and the Politics Press In America, analyzes “the success of blogs in carrying out the democratic responsibilities of journalism during the 2004 presidential debates.” By selecting Instapundit, a conservative blog, Eschaton, a liberal blog, and the New York Times, the author “underlines the magnitude of the blogging phenomenon.”
The press fulfills two key roles in American representative democracy: gatekeeper and government watchdog. So journalists and editors and media in general must filter information for the public to avoid information overload. And journalists must act as the fourth estate in order to keep our government in check.
Because the American public does not trust media and believes it is too commercial, Americans are turning to other news sources, like blogs, which the author defines as “public websites on which the author provides commentary.”
Two distinct categories of blogs exist:
Personal blogs – focus on internal world of blogger
Filter blogs – concentrate on topic
This paper focused on filter blogs since they are considered the more influential kind of blog. And even narrower, political filter blogs whose authors are referred to as polibloggers.
In the summer of 2004, it became clear that government officials viewed blogs as both credible and influential when political bloggers were given press credentials to attend both the Republican and Democratic political conventions. Landmark stories broken by blogs followed which include the Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky scandal and Dan Rather falsely reporting on George W. Bush’s military record.
Focus turned to the three 2004 presidential debates between the two candidates, Republican incumbent George W. Bush and Democratic challenger Senator John Kerry. The blogs provided valuable commentary like praising John Kerry for his consistency in his answers, body language, and demeanor and attacked Bush for a suspected bulging earpiece in his suit. Also, debate fact-checking by the blogs was higher quality and more timely.
Blogs as the “fifth estate”: Instapundit and Eschaton analyzed the media’s bias several times during the 2004 campaign. Examples include Fox News’s pro-Bush bias and the media’s positive spin on Kerry.
Summary points
Both Instapundit and Eschaton posted information similar to New York Times
Both Instapundit and Eschaton analyzed the veracity of both the 2004 candidates’ statements, therefore being a government watchdog.
Both Instapundit and Eschaton assumed the role of the fifth estate, revealing media political bias.
Both Instapundit and Eschaton should be considered forums for political journalism.
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1. kendra4&hellip | May 13, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Thanks for the insightful post! Prior to reading your post, I had never heard of Instapundit or Eschaton, let alone the the role they played in the 2004 election. I think it is very exciting that both sites analyzed the statements and campaigns of the different candidates, thus becoming the government watchdog. Are these two Web sites still playing a significant role in the 2008 election? I checked out Instapundit to see if I could answer my own question, but was turned off by the formatting of the site. I was also intrigued by the thought of social media as the Fifth Estate, a term I had never heard of before. To better understand the Fifth Estate and the role it plays in today’s internet culture, I created own analytical post and I urge those who are also confused to check it out!
2. Nicole&hellip | May 13, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Hey Kace – nice summary!
It’s interesting that inexperienced bloggers (like you and me) often focus and pigeon hole blogs as mostly personal blogs. Whereas, in your article they really focused on filter blogs. I mean, it makes perfect sense because those kinds of blogs are like you said, the most influential type of blogs out there. Before taking this class though, I basically only thought of blogs as personal diaries that internet obsessed people posted online. After reading your summary of this article, it is even more clear of the implications that real, intelligent, political blogs have in our society now.
3. whitney&hellip | May 13, 2008 at 12:12 pm
I’m interested in your personal opinion. Do you prefer to read Instapundit or Eschaton? Why? As my personal friend, which would you recommend to me?
4. paks2008&hellip | May 13, 2008 at 12:16 pm
I’m with Kendra in that before this class and before this blog, I’d never heard of Instapundit or Eschaton. I think it’s interesting that they’ve taken the role of the fifth estate in being the “watchdogs of the watchdogs.” It’s also good to see that politicians are taking bloggers seriously and not undermining their potential influence on the public. I think it shows that they really are aware of and appreciative of the common people, especially since bloggers are less likely to filter or censor things that professional journalists may be prone to do. Good work!
5. khairup&hellip | May 13, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Good summary, KC!
Was there any information mentioned in the aritlce about the demographic of the people that read these blogs?
6. khairup&hellip | May 13, 2008 at 5:13 pm
oops… i meant ‘article’.
7. cowenk&hellip | May 13, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Kendra – great point. The 5th estate is the termed used to describe the additional watchdog role on the press and government. I was surprised to learn that fake news shows, like The Jon Stewart Show, are considered the 5th estate too. It is basically anything that provides another form of accountability on the press and government.
Nicole – fascinating input. When blogs make important contributions with landmark stories like the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal, we realize and cannot deny their importance. I too thought that blogs were silly online diaries, but these realizations make me reconsider my view and attitude towards blogs.
Whitney – poignant questions. When I visit the Instapundit website, I first see an attack on Obama… and you and I both know that we do not allow that! … Also, they had confusing story leads and link texts that we discussed as a “no-no” in class. And honestly, I thought at Eschaton was not very user-friendly, full of ads, and in an elementary format. So, I don’t know if I’d really recommend either of them!
paks2008 – Yes, the idealist in me wants to believe that politicians do take blogs seriously and appreciate the common people’s voice. But actually, even though this article presented some breakthroughs, I think that it will take time for bloggers to gain an audience and be considered a force to reckon with.
khairup – Nope, there was no information on the demographics of these two blogs audience included in the article. The article was pretty theoretic and general. And it mostly centered on the 2004 campaign, so its demographics could have very well changed by now.
8. Nicole&hellip | May 18, 2008 at 10:54 pm
I agree with Paks2008 (whoever they are!) bloggers aren’t being taken as seriously as other forms of media yet. I definitely think if they start to abide by some code of ethics, they will be on their way to be considered a force to be reckoned with.
9. kendra4&hellip | May 19, 2008 at 3:38 pm
KC — thanks for the reply! I am also very surprised to learn that The Daily Show is considered part of the Fifth Estate; however, now that I think about it, I see why this is true. The Daily Show, although comedy based, is one of the only news sources that “calls out” politicians on a daily basis. Thus The Daily Show does fulfill the role of the watch dog and deserves a place within the Fifth Estate.
10. khairup&hellip | May 19, 2008 at 11:31 pm
To follow up to your reply re. my earlier commet –
Blogging as a potential fifth estate is a very interesting idea!
We should think about whether it would have been truly effective without its readers – i.e. folks who can be influenced being members – being able to influence the outcome of the next general election. Understanding the reader demographics is one way to better know your readers and impact you can indirectly have through influencing them.
It seems like the audience that would have been influenced in 2004 by the above two blogs wouldnt neccessarily have been able to significantly influence the outcome of the Presidential election in 2004. Blogs and popularity of blogs was relatively just starting at that point. Its clear that today this has changed. Blogs are a much more powerful tool and expect their impact to grow as more users start using the internet more often and consume information generated by such independent blogs.
11. Surge&hellip | June 19, 2008 at 6:31 am
Somehow i missed the point. Probably lost in translation
Anyway … nice blog to visit.
cheers, Surge!!