Blog Tips- There has been much said (written, blogged) this week about TPM's post on New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd's "borrowing" word for word of a TPM blog post. After reading up on the issue, it sure seems Ms Dowd borrowed word for word a previously published TPM post without crediting her source. Ms. Dowd has said she didn't know the material came from another blog and would have properly given credit if she knew. Instead, she reported that the info came from "a friend". It would certainly seem the friend simply copied and pasted TPM’s words and let Dowd use them as their own. Aside from the obvious issue of how wrong it is to not give credit where credit is due, the outright lifting of other's work tends to worsen writing skills and the craft of blogs/blogging/bloggers. Doing research for a blog post and learning about an issue is one thing, but the act of simply "cutting and pasting" does not help you become a better writer, authority or blogger. No way will you develope your own style for your writing or your blog, by using others without either crediting and/or adding something to the discussion.
Now, possibly some top writers/bloggers are too busy and are caught up in their fast-paced, high pressure world and find the ease of lifting someone's words in an effort to be the first out with a story too tempting. But, as we see in this example, the world is watching and most high profile writers have too many followers that are tops in the field too. People notice, and the word gets out. It's not worth the embarassment, and for new bloggers, it's not worth the damage to your name and your blog. You certainly gain an audience for a new blog by using other's words.
Like your blog, it's best to be an original ! See TPM's post at TalkingPointsMemo (and btw, great catch!).
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