It all depends on the credibility and track-record of the blogger. Many (such as Riverbend and Salam Pax) have been able to give a perspective from inside the community that media reporters, dashing from one "event" to another, simply do not have. However, blogs can also be deceitful, malicious or deliberate state-run propaganda.
I imagine all the spy agencies have blog departments now, designed to push propaganda in the guise of being some innocent passing on the truth, and their blogs will look really convincing. Readers should beware of being gulled.
Non-political special interest blogs, on the other hand, can give the equivalent of a postgraduate-level education in their field ... all free of charge provided by enthusiasts. That's something no media outlet offers.
It all depends on the credibility and track-record of the blogger. Many (such as Riverbend and Salam Pax) have been able to give a perspective from inside the community that media reporters, dashing from one "event" to another, simply do not have. However, blogs can also be deceitful, malicious or deliberate state-run propaganda.
I imagine all the spy agencies have blog departments now, designed to push propaganda in the guise of being some innocent passing on the truth, and their blogs will look really convincing. Readers should beware of being gulled.
Non-political special interest blogs, on the other hand, can give the equivalent of a postgraduate-level education in their field ... all free of charge provided by enthusiasts. That's something no media outlet offers.