Are Bloggers diarists or journalists?

(visit link: The Future of Blogging CNET News.com)

Blogging has become almost mainstream only within the past three years. Since its conception there has been variations of blogs but at its core, it is essentially an open electronic diary for users to share their views. Critics condemned blogging as a mindless, time wasting process of posting thoughts that few take time to read. There is some degree of truth in that view but the blogs that edify, inspire and work far outweigh the value of all the other blogs put together. Many of the effective blogs are treated by bloggers as a means to report new happening in their vicinity. But if they do this, does that make them journalists under the law?

In the CNET report, there is this case where the courts are being asked to decide whether bloggers deserve the legal protection afforded to journalists in the US. While such rights do not exist elsewhere, it would be interesting to see whether bloggers will gain or lose the first case that will determine the right to say what they want to online. And that would include reporting of things they see and hear.