by Paul Schingle

Created on: April 03, 2008   Last Updated: April 25, 2008

I can't think of a good reason why a blogger or citizen journalist couldn't get press credentials to cover Congress. There are a few reasons why not allowing them credentials would be a bad idea. Probably the biggest reason you wouldn't want to restrain credentials for these individuals is accuracy. They're probably going to write anyway (and, yes, I realize their writing will be biased, even with press credentials), so what they write should be based on as accurate of information as possible.

What is the current standard to obtain these credentials, anyway? A degree? Being employed by a "legitimate" news source? Has anyone seen Fox news? No one could possibly say with a straight face that these news sources are "objective." So, why not let a blogger get credentials so he can report things at least relatively objectively?

The problem with the bigger known news sources is, because they are known, a lot of people just assume that, as journalists, they report the facts. This may or may not be true. True, when I read a blogger's writing, I understand from the beginning that he/she has an agenda. I'll read what is written with a grain of salt or at least by being a little bit dubious. But, I will read what he/she has to say because, assuming it's well-written, it can still be informative. I trust my own biases to filter out the writer's preconceived notions. And, the result will be, I'll feel at least partially informed and, if interested, I'll check out the facts from other sources.

The bottom line is: Can a blogger write in such a way as to inform (whether or not there is an obvious case of subjectivity)? The truth is, yes some of these writers are pretty darn good. Just because they didn't go to journalism school, doesn't mean they can't write. Seriously, one should read what some of these writers have to say. They can put together some pretty cohesive thoughts and present a good argument. (Admittedly, a lot of bloggers don't know what they're talking about, but the same can be said for radio personalities such as Rush Limbaugh and no one has tried to stop him from talking, nor should they).

Should bloggers have an opportunity to get credentials so they can cover Congress the way mainstream media do? I say, emphatically, yes, they should

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