Should independent bloggers work for the mainstream media? Honestly, I can't think of a single reason why they shouldn't. Bill Sloat managed to convert "whispers" in to a pretty big scoop that four of the Ohiosphere's finest were in negotiations with the Cleveland Plain Dealer to bring their blogs on to Cleveland.com. Personally, I think this is just another sign that the 527 media is just now starting to realize that they are in trouble and are scrambling to catch up to what's relevant.If the PeeDee is serious about this effort, they ought to be ready to compensate the four bloggers. At the very least, a cut of the advertising ought to be offered; but an actual bounty per post or some sort of stipend ought to be the deal. To expect these bloggers to provide free content to the PeeDee while losing their own revenue streams is absurd. The PeeDee realizes it is in trouble and is reaching out, which is great for everybody; but let's not pretend that the PeeDee just wants to help out these bloggers with some exposure.
The four bloggers in question have similar styles. Most of them tend to write longer, more weighty material and all of them are staunchly independent while resisting the urge to be bomb-throwers. There are some "rock stars" in the Ohiosphere who seem to think that if a blogger can write over five paragraphs, you've lost your audience; I am not one of those. If the blogger can provide interesting copy, length is not an issue in the blogosphere. I think that kind of criticism reflects more on the critic than on the blogger and I have heard this sort of thing before... Clearly, these four have something that the Plain Dealer wants.
Should conservative bloggers get cozy with the 527 media which has been proven to be liberally biased? I can't see why not. If the blogger can hold his ground, and the blogger that can't won't be in this business for very long, then the arrangement might actually be of benefit. There is no reason to believe that receiving regular pay would change what these bloggers are covering or how. And so long as they stick to their principles, I really don't see what all the fuss is about.
I'm happy that these guys (and gal!) are finally getting some attention from the 527 media. Maybe we'll start to see some coverage of Ohio politics in a way that is less partisan and more objective...or at least, bias might be more clearly visable.
