January 24, 2006
BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT: Walk The (Power) Line
Today the Blogometer talks to Paul Mirengoff, who writes at Power Line.
What is your full name?
Paul Eugene Mirengoff (Eugene for Eugene Debs, the old Socialist).
What is your age?
56.
Where did you grow up?
Wheaton, Maryland.
Where do you live now?
Bethesda, Maryland.
What is your occupation? Have you ever worked on a political campaign or for the mainstream media?
Attorney. I've never worked on a campaign or for the MSM.
When did you start blogging and why?
I started blogging during the summer of 2002. I was motivated by 9/11 and my perception of bias by the MSM against President Bush and his policies.
What has been your favorite post, or favorite story to write about, in that time?
The 2004 political conventions and ensuing presidential election.
Describe your typical blogging schedule. And what is your average output?
I do most of my blogging at night, after work. Often, I also do a little blogging in the morning, before work. Usually I produce about three posts per day.
Who is your favorite political blogger? Favorite non-political blogger?
My two colleagues at Power Line, John Hinderaker and Scott Johnson. I don't think I read any non-political blogs.
Who is your favorite mainstream media columnist?
Charles Krauthammer.
What is your favorite television news program, either network or cable?
"Special Report" with Brit Hume.
What MSM-produced websites (i.e. newspapers, magazines) do you visit on a daily basis?
None regularly. I read the hard copy of the Washington Post and the Washington Times on a daily basis.
What non-MSM websites (i.e. blogs) do you visit on a daily basis?
Instapundit, Michelle Malkin, Hugh Hewitt, Captains Quarters, Real Clear Politics, NRO's Corner and Bench Memos.
How often, or do you ever, read a newspaper in its dead-tree (i.e. print) form?
Every day.
How do you see the new media and old media affecting and influencing each other in the next five years?
I think there will be some blurring of the line between old media and blogs, as the internet becomes the main place people go for news, analysis, and commentary. Over the next few years, as part of that process, I expect that old media will cover blogs more, publish more work by top bloggers, and create or expand their own blogs. Some blogs, in turn, may start to look more like the on-line versions of newspapers.
I don't think that bloggers will have much impact on the way the MSM covers the news during the next five years. The MSM will assume that by bringing bloggers into the tent, it has dealt with any threat posed by blogs. However, the MSM will be wrong. Blogs and new media will continue to steal readers and viewers, thereby eating at MSM profit margins.
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