Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter Twelve Editorials, Opinion Pieces, Columns, Blogs and Cartoons 375 websites and audio and video elements as well as other stories your publication has covered. A blog can be one observation, or it can follow a story as it unfolds, adding new entries several times during a day. Adding new posts requires some skill. The newest blog generally will appear on top, with older ones available below. The new posts need to be clear even to those readers who have not read the earlier entries. Blog Advantages Journalistic blogs allow you to exchange ideas and information with your audience. The number of responses may indicate your audience’s interest in the topic and suggest which stories deserve more coverage. Readers may suggest additional story ideas, tell you more facts and stories about the positions you take and correct you when you are wrong either in fact or in perspective. They will remind you if there is another side that has not been represented or point out that you have ignored important background information. Journalistic blogs allow you to grow as a multimedia storyteller using sound, interactive elements, and still and video images on short entries. They allow you to develop your voice as a columnist, to develop your ability to fi nd column-worthy, newsworthy stories and to grow as an interviewer, a researcher and an opinion writer. Standards Are the Same Journalist blogs should adhere to the same ethical and journalistic standards as the rest of your publication or broadcast. • Opinion blogs should be separated from news blogs. Your readers should know whether the blog is news or commentary. • Good headlines and your byline should pull readers and viewers to your blog. • Opinions need to be backed by facts and examples. • Facts need to be backed by solid reporting. • Blogs should be checked for libel, slander, invasion of privacy and copyright infringement. Links embedded in your blog are a strong way to share content without breaking copyright laws. • Blogs should adhere to the same standards of language use and appropriateness as the rest of your publication. • Blogs should be fact checked for accuracy and proofread for your publication’s style. • At least two sets of eyes should see a blog before it is posted. One is usually an online editor. Journalistic blogs are not the correct forum for all your private opinions. As a journalist you need to guard against expressing any opinion that would make you appear incapable of covering news in a fair and balanced manner. Be careful to remain a journalist.