Centralization of news collection? Nah!

The next time you hear someone pull out Ben Bagdikian's Media Monopoly (or the exciting New Media Monopoly, published in 2004) as evidence that we are being kept in the dark, think about this: I just checked in on the BoingBoing post about the London attacks and found links to multiple blogger, Flickr, and wikipedia information sites. The wikipedia entry has already (1830 MST) been edited over 2500 times by dozens (hundreds?) of editors the world 'round, including a number of critiques (such as "how do you know?") that keep the "reporters" on their feet and the reporting accurate. It even includes a translation of the claim for credit. How exactly is Big Media preventing us from getting this, Ben?

And as far as Gary Trudeau's recent "critique" of bloggers goes, I'd say this about puts a nail in that coffin, too. The only advantage the journalists seem to have is their official credentials that give them more access, but we should remember that some journalists blog, too. Where exactly, Gary, does the term "journalist" come from? Could it be simply someone who keeps a journal? And in what substantial way is that better than or even different from a regular blogger? I mean, other than the fact that a blogger isn't backed by a Big Media giant?