Where newspapers once provoked and dominated discussion amongst the great and the good (or those in the pub), Blogs now generate discussion on issues or topics of interest (or otherwise) to a fragmenting but global audience. The Citizen Journalist is alive and well (even if their audience may be their best mate). Comment and opinion on media coverage is the objective.

The breadth and depth of discussion varies, but one thing is for sure, there is plenty of perceptive, informed and interesting opinion and genuine news out there. It is wrong to assume that the only “journalist” worth their salt still sits behind a desk for a masthead lead paper / on-line news source.

As for Tweets, I am less of a fan of byte sized bundles, but why not see the opportunity of reaching a massive mass market to appeal and attract them to the media that makes the money? Isn’t it after all just another promotional tool rather than a replacement? And if Twitter is replaced by the next best thing, where is the concern (unless you just bought the company)?

It is worrying to see the “old guard” branded media still looking on new social media with suspicion / derision. I would even suggest that the best blogging comes from those journalists and news sources that have embraced the medium – The Guardian is a great example.

The risk is that the old media may end up merely talking to themselves, via column inches in the pub whilst the rest of us debate, argue, contribute and collaborate on a global stage.