I Am Not A Journalist
Last Friday I used twitter to direct you to a site that told a compelling story.
And of course there was controversy. Then there was a comment that has had me reevaluating my role in social media.
And then we exchanged some emails, the details of which are not necessarily relevant. John is no stranger to blogging, nor to social media and the speed of which anyone can share information. I find it incredibly depressing that there are so many times that bloggers are called into question, and ultimately cannot adequately stand behind their words. Please note, I’m not saying that this is the case with Nicole White. It does make me pause and rethink my own space.
Twitter: I’ve already divided my twitter stream into two separate accounts. One is noisy, filled with links, conversations, misspellings and general silliness. I’ve also established @JessReviews where I review a product a day but there is no discussion. Somehow this felt like my own separation of Church and State. I’m not suggesting it for anyone, but I like that it’s clean, like a sidebar. It felt right, and it still does.
Blogging: I’ve always felt like my disclaimer was good. Is it missing something? I’m not a news source, and I don’t really expect to be. I’m not a journalist. I’m a mom and a wife, I’m a daughter and tech nerd. I don’t mean like a little nerdy either, I mean, I am absolutely devastated that my kids’ school isn’t falling all over itself to take advantage of Wolfram Alpha Homework Day. I remember writing IF THEN programs for fun after school… when I was eight. I love technology, there I said it. I love technology so much I want to marry it <— and I prove that I am, in fact, a Mommy Blogger. [shaddup leave me alone]
Because of John, I’m sitting and thinking about why I blog. A blog is a Web Log. People always ask me what I blog about. I tell them I’m a Mommy Blogger. What is my obligation? I don’t want to be a reporter or a journalist. I’m a Mom, I can’t see the world through anyone’s lens but my own. I don’t have any interest in presenting you with two sides to every story, this is straight editorial. On the rare occasion I give facts, breaking news or commentary on studies, I do direct you to a news source.
Later today I’ll be resurrecting my newsletter, in an attempt to further separate my topics.
What are the standards for bloggers? There was one attempt to create a standard for bloggers, but it quickly became a laughingstock outside it’s own echo chamber. The idea of trying to regulate bloggers is laughable.
I don’t have any hard and fast answers, but I can offer you my truths.