Do Bloggers Need a Union?

Eoghan Brophy wonders:

I was talking to my dad abut blogs and unions on the way home from the airport. He’d been at a journalism union conference. I was wondering what you thought bloggers should have to do with unions. If anyone tried to make a cent out of anything you’d made, I’m sure you’d have Wicket tear them apart. What you’ve made is copyright Chris Pirillo.

If this happened to a smaller lesser-known blogger, having a union membership might be useful. I’m inclined to believe that the response time might not be quick enough. Law was never a spry juggernaught. I know I’d be a bit miffed if someone stole something I’d written. Whether the union I’d pay subs for would help my case is hard to say.

Complicate the matter by throwing in money. Your own contributions to the Internet more than merit your income. I’d say you deserve a raise, even. Only problem there is you’re the boss of you. You want a raise, you work harder. Paid bloggers who make their way in the world by what they write would need to be taken on a case-by-case basis for union membership almost.

When does a blog become a journalistic work? I know a lot of the blogs coming out of China and Iran right now could be considered journalism, since they keep people informed. But when you try to define what a blog is, you might hit a few snags. Some blogs are pure opinion and supposition. Others, like mine, are just pointless and depressing. But some, like yours, are useful and informative – even up to the point where they might be considered journalistic.

Ask your Gnomedex attendees what they think. I’m sure there’ll be plenty of bloggers at the event. I’d love to hear if they think union membership is necessary or not. If not, then I don’t see printed media unions lasting a lot longer. We’re already seeing a return to the Dickensian models.

P.S. I understand you’re an English major. Are you also callipygian?

1. I don’t consider myself a blogger. I have a blog, but that doesn’t make me a blogger.
2. I don’t consider myself a journalist. I don’t work for someone else.
3. I don’t consider myself having callipygian qualities. That speaks for itself.
4. I don’t believe bloggers need unions (no more than software developers need unions).
5. I don’t know if unions, in general, are going to be around for much longer.