The old "not a journalist" excuse

When a blogger tries to slip past correcting errors by declaring "I'm not a journalist," I usually mark them off my reading list (no appeals).

Predictable as sunrise, I applaude Jocelyn Newmarch's criticism of a fellow South Africa Mail & Guardian Thought Leader blogger for using that excuse. She also said that:

... the promise of blogging is that all this multiplicity may enable us to think more rigorously and critically, to deepen the level of debate, and to respond to our society with greater compassion. But it can only do that if we’re willing to find the truth, however quiet or mundane it may be.

Over at the Biblical Recorder Editor's Journal Buster addresses that challenge to religious bloggers, concluding:

Yes, the unofficial motto of the blogosphere -- "we fact-check your ass" -- can be relentless and unforgiving.
Shouldn't it be?

Andrew G.R. seems to me to be close to the mark when commenting on March's piece for the Blog Herald. Addressing the question, "Are bloggers journalists?," he concludes:

In my humble opinion, it all depends on the type of blog you are running. One thing, however, is certain: you should always tell the truth and be prepared to defend your post, regardless of your blog’s size.

Write honestly, with painstaking attention to the facts, and be prepared to honestly defend your work: Sounds very much like a job description for an old-fashioned newspaper editor.

Forgive me if you can, but I believe that bloggers who aren't journalists and who are blogging about matters of factual import should all aspire to be.