All hail the blog?

Blogs are supposed to be independent sites with information uncorrupted by corporate interests. Well, in theory anyway. David D. Perlmutter is a senior fellow and an associate professor of mass communication at Louisiana State University and he writes that political blogs risk losing their currency by "jumping on the payroll of corporations and political parties."

He continues:

"Blogs are indeed a democratic wonder - the first instance in human history where an ordinary individual can communicate her or his thoughts to the entire planet, instantly, and without editing by the elites of journalism or government. They provide a real service, as a complement and a watchdog to the mainstream sources of information and analysis. But the cause of blogging is not helped by unwarranted and blind enthusiasm about their success that ignores the threats to their authenticity and independence. "