Are Bloggers Journalists?

In this digital age a lot of people get their information and news from internet including blogs. Blogs are great to get information, but is it journalism or opinion?

It's okay if the blog is an opinon but I see so many stories on blogs that are only minutes old. What have they investigated? How true are the facts? When I write a story for a newspaper (unless it is a feature) I use two or three sources. Two if the sources both agree, and three if there is a descrepancy.

If an event is attended by the blogger and they witnessed it first hand that fine. However I caution people to be aware of where the source is getting there information.

I've noticed more than a few times, bloggers repeat other bloggers blogs. It's a competative crazy world. Getting out fast doesn't always mean it's accurate.

Don't get me wrong. I enjoy reading blogs, in particular the themed blogs. They are more like news columns and not breaking news stories.

For the record.... I know newspaper get things wrong too...

Blogging or Writing?

Today I received a DM from one of my twitter friends and she commented that she liked that I was a blogger who took my writing serious.   I never considered myself a blogger who writes, I am a writer who blogs.  Blogging is extention of my writings and not the purpose.  

In truth I find blogging difficult at times.  To spend time writing about about my opinions of the day or insights learned seems to me anyway a waste of time.   Mostly I post things I've written already. Not that there is anything with blogging opinons, insights in fact I enjoying reading blogs of that type.  

However, currently I am editing and rewriting my first novel, working on a biography, and several shorter pieces for different magazines.   There is also  the weekly news column I write. Every extra moment is devoted to writing or activities around writing, like online and in person critique groups and of course reading.    

Being a writer is more than putting words on paper and arranging them to make a interesting story.  It is keeping up with the trends, meeting fellow writers, discipline, reading, brainstorming, research, and submitting. You can't be published if you don't submit. :)        

When blogging, you write your piece and hopefully edit it.  When you write you edit it, show it to your crit group, rewrite, edit, show it to your crit group again and then look for places to submit it. Not that it always works that way, but you get the idea.

Is the art of writing becoming obsolete in this fast paced world?   Do you think there is a difference between blogging and writing?  Or are they one and the same?

Am interested to hear your feelings on blogging and writing.. or writing and blogging..