Writing in the News Tribune , editor David Seago recently endorsed an editorial from Joseph Rago of the Wall Street Journal , concerning Blogs vs. Newspapers (of course, Mr. Seago didn't Link to the original, even in the online version of his piece):

Blogs aren’t the cure for what ails newspapers or society these days. Done properly, they’re an important way for newspapers to adapt to the digital age. And many, if not most, independent blogs are stimulating and useful. But remember: On a good newspaper, nobody is a loose cannon – not even columnists and sportswriters and certainly not editorial writers.

If a newspaper pays your salary, somebody higher up on the food chain makes sure you stay within the bounds of propriety, fairness and accuracy – even in the realm of opinion. You can’t make up stuff and get away with it.

I wonder if Mr. Seago has forgotten the NY Times problems from Jayson Blair through the current intentional misreporting of infanticide of a healthy (post-natal) baby as an abortion; or the AP's issues with fauxtography and the probably-doesn't-exist Iraqi Police Source used in over 40 articles.

While it was the Blogs who exposed Rathergate, the scandals at Air America, and follow up on leads that don't fit the MSM agenda.

As Mr. Rago points out (but Mr. Seago neglects to quote): 

Certainly the MSM, such as it is, collapsed itself. It was once utterly dominant yet made itself vulnerable by playing on its reputed accuracy and disinterest to pursue adversarial agendas.

Far be it from me to dispute such august personages as these Professional Journalists.

I would note that there are two (at least) distinct forms of Blogger:  News Producers, and Commenters.

The News Producers are the minority, but are what the MSM and Newspapers specifically should be concerned about.  These folks - ranging from Mark Tapscott, to  Brian Mulroney , to Michelle Malkin , and many others, The folks are doing the work that the MSM won't, and in many cases not just scooping the "real Journalists", but driving issues and stories INTO the MSM.

The Commenter's (including yours truly) also serve a purpose in helping to sort through the glut of information on the web, and providing for discussion and insight of various readers on those issues. It is a dynamic, flowing system, that encourages dissemination of information and views.

I can certainly understand why Blogs are the subject of derision by the self appointed Guardians of Truth in the MSM.  And I do NOT think that Blogs will really replace the Newspaper.  But Newspapers will get to be more like Blogs.  And the News Producer Blogs will become defacto Electronic Newspapers, as the line blurs.