Well Deserved Kudos

Sometimes the big media outlets do the right thing and deliver kudos where they are deserved. Today, the gang at firedoglake got a shout out from the New York Times for their ongoing coverage of the Libby case.

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.

But the bloggers’ fun is almost over. Mr. Libby’s lawyers rested their case yesterday shortly after the judge said he had been misled about whether Mr. Libby would take the stand.

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.

They've done an excellent job of providing news and analysis as the case was presented, and while they may be on the other side of the aisle ideologically, it is still good to see that bloggers' good works are appreciated.

As this case goes to the jury, it will be interesting to see their reactions once the verdict is returned. Also, it is a useful exercise for all bloggers to see what others are doing in this medium.