"Minnesota Democrats Exposed" exposed?

Posted at 11:37 AM on January 4, 2006 by Bob Collins (1 Comments)

The person who runs the blog, Minnesota Democrats Exposed and Blois Olson, one of the publishers of the newsletter Politics in Minnesota have been going back and forth for the last week or so over MDE's claim that Olson, who runs a communications and public relations business, tried to get a contract with 2nd District congressional candidate Coleen Rowley's campaign. MDE claimed when that didn't work out, Olson began badmouthing the Rowley campaign, mostly in an Associated Press story about the campaign against incumbent John Kline.

Now Olson has filed a defamation lawsuit against MDE's author, who has been anonymous up until now.

Coincidentally -- or perhaps not -- MDE says it will have a "major announcement" at noon today. Polinaut believes he will reveal himself as Michael Broadkorb, the former communications director for the Minnesota Republican Party under Ron Eibensteiner. When the GOP dumped Eibensteiner, Brodkorb went too. (Update: Brodkorb confirms he is MDE.)

The "disclaimer for liberals" on the MDE site says "Minnesota Democrats Exposed is not created, endorsed, sponsored, or authorized by any political party, candidate, or candidate's committee."

But it sure comes close, apparently.

Of course, anyone can sue anyone, but the effect of a lawsuit against a partisan blog might have some far-reaching consequences.

Are blogs journalism? Are they immune from having to reveal the source of their information? Is it a good idea -- legalities aside -- to have an entire "journalistic" enterprise emanate from anonymity.

I guess we're about to find out.

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Comments (1)

"...Are blogs journalism?"

Not particularly, but they can be. I was trained as a journalist (broadcast), worked as a newspaper editor, and have been a professional communications/PR guy for more than 20 years.

I am also a blogger, as part of my duties as communications director of the American Lung Association of Minnesota.

To paraphrase a famious legal opinion on pornography, I might not be able to define 'journalism,' but I know it when I see it. I don't see it in most blogs, with the exception of blogs like this one, created by a bona fide journalist. Other local examples of blog journalism include "City Hall Scoop" by Tim Nelson, Pioneer Press reporter and WCCO-TV reporter Jason DeRussa's blog.

Of the other "non-professional" bloggers, perhaps "Captains Quarters" and "Powerline" come closest to real journalism because of the amount of original content. Still, I don't think either blog reaches the bar of being called "journalism."

Blogs are fun, informative, highly opinionated, and interesting. But they are not ususally "journalism," in my opinion.

Posted by Bob Moffitt | January 5, 2006 8:07 AM

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