Blog Post # 5 Assignment: The New “Blogosphere” of the News – Will it Hinder or Hurt Journalism?

The blog post, Dear President Obama #476 "Birth certificate blues", is posted on AC360, the blog for Anderson Cooper 360.

This blog is about the rumors surrounding President Obama's birth certificate and whether or not he was born in Hawaii or outside of the United States. Tom Foreman, an AC360 correspondent, takes the stand that people who are worried about the legality of Obama's birthplace should either put their words into actions or keep their mouths shut. He also brings up the point that if any real evidence had come up regarding wether or not he was born in the United States, then it would have been a huge story and the press would have made a big deal over it.
This post is rough and written from the reporter's point of view with his opinion clearly stated. Compared to a newscast which would steer away from the anchor's opinion on the topic, Foreman uses his opinion to let the reader know what side of the debate he is on. It is also much shorter than a regular news story. As for the information? It is interesting but not very informative. It presents the argument of Obama's birthplace from the point of view of someone who is against the rumors and conspiracy theories. A good newscast story wouldn't take sides and it would give the reader the whole story from every angle. But that is the new way to do things in journalism. New journalists are learning new techniques and new ways of writing for news. Because blogs and new media are fast becoming the favorite form of obtaining news, New journalists have to learn the technology to be able to keep up.