by Ryan McKeen
This was sent to me on Facebook last night:
On Monday’s show — from 1 to 2 pm — I want to look at the State of the Blog. Specifically, I want to look at where blogging and other online communication/journalism is — especially here in CT — roughly five years down the road from the first real ascendance of blogs. Old media seems shakier than ever. Do you bloggers feel ready to step up and fill the vacuum? Are there better models on the proving grounds of the internet right now? – Colin McEnroe
Connecticut’s King of Most Media, Colin McEnroe get’s it. Whether it’s in the paper, on the radio, or posting on the net he’s an excellent writer who is willing to embrace change. I like that he’s asking these questions. So I’ll try and answer them.
For the most part, the Hartford Courant has sold its soul to “if it bleeds, it leads” reporting. On any given day it’s a shooting here, a stabbing there, and sex assaults all over the place. The Courant seems to love sex assault cases.
The Courant’s coverage of the Connecticut budget hearings was sorely lacking. Instead, they choose to run stories about the Countess.
Because of the direction of the Courant, I get my news for what’s happening at the Capitol from CT News Junkie. The news is timely, the posts are well written, and the pieces are substantive.
However, I think CT News Junkie is the exception and not the rule. The blog is the full time job for several people. They are journalists in the best sense of the word.
Most blogs, like this one, are hobbies. It’s hard to maintain a blog. Most die out pretty quickly. Something comes up in a blogger’s life and posting is the first thing to go.
I don’t interview anyone. I’m not a journalist. This site does not pay any bills. I enjoy writing about Connecticut law and how it impacts Connecticut residents.
However, it’s not practical for me to write about every important decision by the CT Supreme Court or every issue facing the court. I’m too busy being in court, writing wills, communicating with clients or closing real estate deals.
Quite simply, bloggers are not ready to step into the vacuum. What Connecticut needs is a serious news organization. There are some excellent reporters who lost their jobs at the Courant. I’d like to see a weekly publication both online and in print that has in depth stories and analysis.
I’d pay for this. Our state needs this.