How Should Magazines and Newspapers Cite Blogs?

Posted on August 17, 2005

Stephen Baker at Blogspotting has raised an interesting question about blog citation in magazines and newspapers.

Blogs are people's voices. So quoting one is like quoting anyone else. It has more credibility if it comes with a name. If the blog attacks a person (or company), then that person must be given a chance to respond. If a blog is from a company official, such as GM's Bob Lutz, it can be quoted as his words (though an interview is preferable). No doubt quoting from blogs will be on the rise, simply because blogging is the way more and more people are talking.

In the comments section of the Blogspotting post about blog citation Jeff Jarvis (BuzzMachine) said the quoting magazine or newspaper should give the URL or "at least a Googleable name." Someone could find Jeff Jarvis' blog by searching for his name or by searching for "BuzzMachine" but a direct URL would be easier. And URLs are obviously what bloggers would prefer. If papers and magazines don't want to put the sometimes long blog URLs in print they could add a side bar or a footnote at the bottom of the page. Stephen Baker suggested the footnote idea and says that Le Monde Diplomatique already has them.