Is Bleacher Report Journalism?

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I want to preface this article by saying that I'm a big fan of Bleacher Report.

It is a great forum for people to share their thoughts and meet others who share them. I have spent inordinate amounts of time, like many here have, leaving comments, writing articles of my own, and reading the work of some great wordsmiths.  

Ever since I found this site as a journalism student at Marquette University (alumni include former Sports Illustrated columnist Steve Rushin, MLB Network reporter Trenni Kusnierek, and Chicago Cubs broadcaster for WGN Len Kasper), though, I have been pondering the titular question.

After reading this article by jillie jones, in which the author demands Bleacher Report writers to be better journalists, my answer dawned on me. It is impossible for Bleacher Report to be considered journalists if members are not forced to adhere to journalistic basics such as factual accuracy, fairness, and efficient gathering of information?

First, let me reiterate what I said at the outset: I love Bleacher Report. The community is wide-reaching and unlike anything else on the Internet. I can find many things about the Packers and Brewers (my first two priorities), but if something about the NBA or professional wrestling catches my eye, I can read about that too.

Bleacher Report also offers nearly unlimited freedom in what registered members can do on the site.  

Those with a mind for analysis and statistics can analyze statistics. Those of us who are more creative can create slideshows and write humorous pieces.

In fact, before the front page change, it was not uncommon for slideshows and humor articles to be featured as the Pick of the Day, which has always been fine by me. After all, it was an act of the community.

And this is part of the reason why I do not think Bleacher Report is journalism and why those who do write exclusively on Bleacher Report are not journalists yet, myself included.

It is true that there are spectacular writers on this site, beginning with the 50 top writers that are listed here, and continuing with the top writers in each community such as MJ Kasprzak, Nino Colla, and TAB BAMFORD, to name just a few.

But, as I'm starting to learn after my first two years of journalism school, there is more to journalism than being a great writer.

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