V/bloggers vs. journalists

Relation between the two is not ambiguous. But proponents of aligning v/bloggers with journalists certainly want that relation to be tenebrous.

Professional journalists are expected to be disciplined. They follow professional standards, adherence to truth, credibility and integrity.

Bloggers create their own reality. They are highly opinionated and distort facts. They can practically get away with anything they write or broadcast. Many are mercenaries – hired for certain demolition tasks. That’s why they’re called trolls.

There is no college course for bloggers. All they need is a selfie stick. Yes, they are a new breed of communicators. How they communicate is innovative and immediate. The problem lies in what they communicate.

Old-school journalism, the one that teaches the 4 Ws + 1 H, hate bloggers the most because of the lack of discipline. Journalists – old-school reporters – hunt their sources for verifiable facts to be able to present a balanced story. Editors provide the check and balance to ensure reporters confirm their facts.

This schism between journalists and bloggers have lasted since the dawn of social media. The two are never the same. Bloggers insist they have a wider audience. They prefer to be called influencer. Thus, they thrive in marketing and sales.

But to dump bloggers in the same room with journalists only creates friction.

Veteran journalists harbor deep disdain for these influencers who believe they are better than traditional media.

Followers of these tech-savvy influencers seek instant gratification. They gloss over the 10% fact that is heavily laced with 90% opinion. Any subject is never regarded objective. Bloggers want their followers to agree to their opinions.

This leads to the great risk of twisting truth because bloggers are not held accountable for the lies they spread and keep repeating.

Young Filipinos – who were the target of massive disinformation by trolls – are vulnerable to alternate truths created by trolls.

So, now, bloggers are slowly being inserted into mainstream media to legitimize their trade (not profession). They get paid the way columnists are paid. Still, columnists are governed by rules of journalism. In old-school journalism, to be a columnist is reserved only for experienced journalists.

Many bloggers are aware of this, making them uneasy in the company of high-ranking journalists.

Bloggers getting accredited into Malacanang briefing sessions is just the first step. The legitimization of influencers will come subtle and piercing.

The end-goal is to create an alternate reality that is acceptable to the masses, regardless of the truth, without anyone even realizing we were duped, until it’s too late.