NYT: For Liberal Bloggers, Libby Trial Is Fun and Fodder (Firedoglake)

[Pirate Smile]

For Liberal Bloggers, Libby Trial Is Fun and Fodder

Bloggers for Firedoglake.com, including Jane Hamsher, left, share an apartment in Washington while covering the trial of I. Lewis Libby Jr.

By SCOTT SHANE
Published: February 15, 2007

The perjury trial of I. Lewis Libby Jr., former top aide to Vice President Dick Cheney, has drawn every major news organization in the country to the federal courthouse in Washington. But none has fielded a bigger team — or was more openly crushed by the defense decision this week not to put Mr. Cheney and Mr. Libby on the stand — than Firedoglake.com.

Even the Web-savvy may ask, Fire dog what? A collective of liberal bloggers, fueled by online donations and a fanatical devotion to the intricacies of the Libby case, Firedoglake has offered intensive trial coverage, using some six contributors in rotation. They include a former prosecutor, a current defense lawyer, a Ph.D. business consultant and a movie producer, all of whom lodge at a Washington apartment rented for the duration of the trial.

All day long during the trial, one Firedoglake blogger is on duty to beam to the Web from the courthouse media room a rough, real-time transcript of the testimony. With no audio or video feed permitted, the Firedoglake “live blog” has offered the fullest, fastest public report available. Many mainstream journalists use it to check on the trial.

-snip-
For blogs, the Libby trial marks a courthouse coming of age. It is the first federal case for which independent bloggers have been given official credentials along with reporters from the traditional news media, said Robert A. Cox, president of the Media Bloggers Association. Mr. Cox negotiated access for the bloggers.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/15/washington/15bloggers.html?hp&ex=1171515600&en=1d7c78995f14dcb9&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[aquart]

1. "...mainstream journalists use it to check on the trial."

My, my, my.

[Spazito]

2. Great to see Firedoglake get the recognition they deserve!

It certainly was my "go-to" site for the trial, they did an awesome job, imo! Thanks for posting this, it is, imo, a good news story.

[Spazito]

5. Kick for the "alternative" media

:kick:

[Missy Vixen]

3. Congratulations, Jane, Christy, emptywheel, Pach, Swopa and a cast of thousands

I have enjoyed the live blogging more than I can say.

>Many mainstream journalists use it to check on the trial.<

FDL's coverage has been consistently more informative and educated that mainstream media sources. On a shoestring budget, utilizing volunteer labor, they have repeatedly scooped the MSM.

Congratulations, ladies and gentlemen, you not only crashed the gates, you've knocked down the fence. Welcome to the new media paradigm.

Julie

[Crabby Appleton]

4. They've done a great job of covering the trial

along with Jeralyn of talkleft & huffpo

[mod mom]

6. They sure did do a great job!

[H2O Man]

7. Nominated.

The internet has provided many people with some of the most important of information about the Plame scandal & Libby trial. More, a number of sites have allowed for fascinating discussions about the case that the corporate media does not allow for.

[blm]

8. The sad part of this is that the NYT treats it as a 'Fun' story instead of the serious

TREASON that these bloggers are actually reporting because the corporate media will NOT.

[La_Fourmi_Rouge]

9. And let us not forget...

Jane Hamsher is in recovery from cancer surgery and has delayed chemotherapy to cover the trial! Talk about commitment! I cannot say enough good things about the FDL team and associates.

As others have mentioned - they should be candidates for the first Pulitzer Prize for Blogging.