Ian Lind: Journalist Who Happens to Blog
May 19th, 2010 by Capsun
Veteran blogger Ian Lind (@ilind) wrote a post the other day that garnered a reaction that prompted him to write an entire post as a response He asks, in essence: “Just who do you think you are?” Ian’s response is far more articulate than mine, but I’d like to put my contribution out there to add to the conversation.
This is particularly interesting because someone I know brought up an argument that only insiders read blogs.
I disagreed. Vehemently, but respectfully. Here’s some of what I noted about Ian, someone I don’t believe is just a “regular” blogger (whatever that term means).
Ian is not some angry misinformed birther; he’s a serious guy with serious credentials. He is a former investigative reporter for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, a former staffer to Councilmembers Neil Abercrombie and Duke Bainum, has been a legislative staffer in the Hawaii House of Representatives, makes regular appearances on Hawaii Public Radio, and used to write for Honolulu Weekly. He is well-respected and has one of the most heavily-trafficked blogs in Hawaii.
We would be mistaken to think only “insiders” read Ian. I’m willing to guess that almost all print and broadcast government reporters do, too. In fact, Ian’s website has been cited as a source for several articles in both dailies. With their understaffed newsrooms, I think reporters are more than happy to take up a story when Ian’s done most of the research. More importantly, the “insiders” who do read Ian are far more likely to write or comment on it, thus influencing non-insiders.
Ian is a smart and resourceful guy. I believe he is ABD (“all but dissertation”), an academic achievement that except for his dissertation, he has done everything to receive a PhD. And Ian’s ability to navigate through layers and layers of government records to find the ones that matter (or should) is nothing short of impressive. You or I might disagree with him on his opinions, or even his slant on a story, but rarely can you dispute the facts that he uncovers.
Finally, Ian is a journalist who happens to blog. No, he’s not employed by any of our major news organizations. What makes him a journalist is that he continues to use all of the practices he learned as an investigative journalist in his blogging. So he’s still approaching this blogging thing as a journalist, with fact-checking, source confirmation, letting the other side have a chance to comment, and other best practices of journalism.
For all of these reasons, I (and I think many others) have the utmost respect for Ian. That, quite simply, is the reason he’s not just a “regular” blogger. Long before Civil Beat came to town, Ian has been providing a high-quality, independent source of news coverage in Hawaii.
Please keep up the good work, Ian! Yes, even if I disagree. Yes, even if it proves uncomfortable for a candidate I might support. Your contribution is that you help keep us all honest – and I think that’s a good thing.
Mahalo!
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