Bitter much? Just because you got a degree saying you can write and call yourself a journalist doesn’t mean you really are, sweetie. Many bloggers are very talented writers. Writers simply are by doing -they don’t need a fancy degree to make them so. I have oodles of friends with journalism degrees who do nothing with writing - it’s a throw degree (and I say this as one who minored in journalism)

Any time someone does better than you in your field you seem to write a post whining about it. Maybe you’re jsut not as good as you think.

I suspect those who comment on this article are not going to get your point. Instead they will be defensive and snark away.

That is a shame.

There is clearly a difference between true journalistic intent and straight blogging. Bloggers should recognize this.

Wow.
The problem is your argument loses all credibility in it’s being non-compelling, alienating the audience, and being a ranty-blog post. Yes there is a difference between journalism and blogging. There is also a difference between tearing others down for being proud of their work and highlighting that difference.
A lot of bloggers have degrees, some of them in journalism, some of them in luterature, and some of them in agriculture. Some bloggers are still students, but that doesn’t change the fact that they are all real writers.

Okay - you got comments that I was going to leave. Seriously??? I KNOW the difference between serious news and opinion. I am a blogger - NOT a journalist. Thank GOD because I actually am comfortable with that. You apparently are not comfortable with your own self.

Yes, there is a difference between journalism and blogging. But you can not unequivocally say that journalism = “real” writing and blogging does not.

I’ve seen some crap writing by journalists and some world-changing writing by mere bloggers. A degree doesn’t necessarily bestow talent. It simply means you had the luck to attend (and be able to afford) a formal higher education. Get off your high horse and examine your privilege, please.

By your definition, Thomas Paine wasn’t a “real” writer. After all, he didn’t have a journalism degree, much less a degree from an Ivy League institution, like you! In fact, he stopped his formal education at 13 years old, after just 5 years of grammar school. What a loser! He also (self)published all those cute little pamphlets of his. The horror!

Nevermind that he helped re-route the course of American history with his words. None of that matters, apparently, since he doesn’t share your officially-bestowed credentials and pay stubs to prove his worth.

I love how all the bloggers got offended and took it up the a$$!
I am neither a blogger nor a writer by any sorts but it’s not hard to tell when someone is writing for the hell of it.
No ladies, blogging does not make you writers. It makes you, a blogger.
Someone who has access to the Internet and someone who has way too much time on their on hands.
YOU, bloggers, are the one who are ‘bitter much’, I’m sick of all these stupid bloggers acting like they know everything.
It’s not a real job; no education required. Remember that :)

I make a living as a “real” writer - I put that term in quotes for anyone who IS a real writer knows writing is more than knowing rules of writing or having a degree. It is being able to master language in a manner that resonates with readers. And as a writer, I accept ALL forms of the art - poetry to prose to news writing to blogging. One is no better nor more important than another.

I feel it is once again Ms. Allers own saltiness that prompts this blog. If you are indeed a great journalist you will not need to blog about it - your news articles would have spoken for themselves - which clearly in your own estimation they do not. You needn’t put others down in order to make yourself feel better.

Way to go Kim! Well said. It’s about time.

I’ve read brilliantly researched and beautifully written blogs. I’ve also read some truly terrible ones. Equally, I’ve encountered journalism in tabloid newspapers and women’s magazines which have made my toes curl. I don’t consider either medium to be superior - they both have a valid place in the modern world. I am a blogger. I don’t consider myself to be a journalist as I don’t report on anything other than observations on life. I am in no doubt, however, that I am a writer. No qualification required.
www.morethanjustamother.com

Unfortunately, your disgust with the trend in writing is only going to continue. People are uninterested in fact based journalism…lets be honest…the big three networks and ALL major newspapers fill what should be fact based reporting with opinion. People want to be entertained. I am glad you didn’t say that you were “disrespected.” I hear that all the time on the news and see it in articles and it just bothers me.