Blogs & Journalism: Tasks

This project includes five tasks. At the conclusion of each task you will be expected to complete a specific assignment. Full instructions are listed below, but the abbridged version of the tasks assignments looks like this:
  1. Define key elements in blogs.
    Assignment: List five elements commonly found on blogs. Explain what these elements do.

  2. Examine established blogs.
    Assignment: List three blogs you would read regularly. Explain what you like about these blogs and what separates them from both other blogs and traditional media.

  3. Define your own elements of journalism.
    Assignment: List 5-10 elements that, to you, define journalism. There are no wrong answers, but you'll be expected to explain and defend your points.

  4. Blogs and journalism case study and analysis.
    Assignment: Read through a real-world case study involving blogs and traditional media. In an organized essay (750-1,000 words) discuss whether this example counts as journalism. Again, there is no wrong answer, but you will be expected to explain and define your conclusions.

  5. In-class discussion.
    After you have handed in your paper, the class will assemble to discuss conclusions and express opinions. Everyone is expected to participate in the discussion.

Each assignment will count toward your overall grade (additional details on grading are available on the evaluation page).

Questions? Concerns? Send me an email.

If you're ready, let's get to it!

Task 1: What is a blog?

Visit the following sites and develop a list of five elements commonly found on blogs. The specific elements can be anything you like -- a feature, a technology, a writing style, etc. -- but you need to be able to explain each element in detail and point to real-world examples.

Task 1 Links:



Task 2. Who blogs?

Using a blog search tool, such as Google Blog Search, Technorati or BlogPulse, search for topics that interest you and assemble a list of three blogs you'd consider reading regularly. Briefly explain why you enjoy each blog and what separates it from other publications.

Task 2 Links:

Additional Reference Links for Task 2:

  • TV Fodder -- An example of an independent blog. This is provided to give you an example of a topic-oriented blog that employs journalistic techniques (Note: This blog is part of the Fodder Network, which is a business I own. Clearly, my narcissim knows no bounds).

  • Engadget -- A very popular tech blog. Pay attention to the number of articles they post every day. Consistent posting is an important part of blogging and Engadget is one of the most prolific blogs out there.

  • The Daily Nightly -- This NBC Nightly News Blog is an example of a blog run by a traditional media outlet. One thing to consider: How does this blog compare to independent blogs?


Task 3. Elements of journalism

In this exercise you need to make a list of 5-10 elements that, to you, define journalism. You can choose anything you like, but be prepared to explain each element.

Confused? Most working journalists would list things like "objectivity," "sources," "freedom of speech," "watchdog," etc. These same journalists would also be able to tell you what each of these phrases means to them and why they believe it's a tenet of journalism.

Task 4. Blogging and Journalism

CBS News, Power Line In this task you will read and analyze a real-world example of blogs crossing into traditional journalism.

Please progress through each of the following links in the order they are presented. The information will walk you through an initial report from CBS News, then take you through the criticism of the report and finally, present you with the fall-out from the report. I suggest you take notes or develop your own timeline to keep track of the various events and facts. Your notes will come in handy when you're asked to analyze the entire situation at the conclusion of this task.

Note: The following slideshow provides a cursory overview of this case study. Be sure to also consult each of the links outlined below.



  1. Sept. 8, 2004 - In a segment on "60 Minutes Wednesday," CBS anchor Dan Rather reports on the discovery of new documents that suggest President George W. Bush received favorable treatment during his time in the Texas Air National Guard in the 1970s. Read the transcript from the broadcast (pdf). Note: An abbridged news story is also available.

    Note: It's important to understand the context of this initial report. At the time it aired, Bush was engaged in a tough presidential campaign with Democratic nominee John Kerry. This report was broadcast two months before the 2004 election.

  2. Sept. 8, 2004 - The following documents were featured in, or were releated to, the "60 Minutes Wednesday" report: Document 1, Document 2, Document 3, Document 4, Document 5, Document 6.

  3. Sept. 9, 2004 - Other media outlets, including The Boston Globe, picked up and expanded upon the "60 Minutes Wednesday" story.

  4. Sept. 9, 2004 - Power Line, a well-known blog with a conservative focus, posts a blog entry titled "The Sixty-First Minute." The Power Line post, picking up on a user-submitted entry made on the Free Republic forums, immediately calls into question the formatting of the documents used in the "60 Minutes Wednesday" report. Power Line notes that the fonts and spacing do not correspond with documents produced on a typewriter in the early 1970s. As you'll see, Power Line readers soon added their own expertise to an analysis of the documents. Read the blog post.

  5. Sept. 14, 2004 - CBS News stands by its report.

  6. Sept. 20, 2004 - The source of the Bush documents, former Texas Air Guard commander Bill Burkett, admits to misleading CBS News. In a statement, CBS News says:
    "Based on what we now know, CBS News cannot prove that the documents are authentic, which is the only acceptable journalistic standard to justify using them in the report. We should not have used them."

  7. Sept. 22, 2004 - Responding to pressure from bloggers and traditional media outlets, CBS News appoints an independent panel to investigate the Bush report and the documents.

  8. Jan. 10, 2005 - The independent panel delivers a 224-page report. Read a round-up of the independent panel's conclusions and the fall-out from the original "60 Minutes Wednesday" report. Note: A video is also available.

Task 4 - Assignment

Take all of your accumulated blog knowledge and combine it with the list of journalism elements you developed in Task 3. With these structures in hand, examine the Bush National Guard story and answer this question: In this scenario, did the Power Line blog practice journalism?

Remember, there is no right or wrong answer, but you must be able to effectively argue your point. You must hand in a 750-1,000 word analysis that details your conclusion.

Elements/questions you may wish to consider:

  • Does the Power Line blog have a bias?
  • How important is objectivity in journalism? How realistic is objectivity?
  • How do established media outlets forge trust with their readers/viewers?
  • Can blogs forge the same type of trust?
  • Should blogs and traditional media be held to the same level of accountability?


Task 5. Class Discussion

After everyone has handed in their papers, the class will assemble to discuss conclusions and express opinions. Students will be expected to come to class with at least one talking point. By this time, you will have gone through an extensive process involving research, careful thought, and conclusions, so you should be able to discuss this topic with ease. Everyone is expected to participate in the discussion.


Image Credits: CBS News logo © CBS Broadcasting Inc.; Power Line logo © Power Line