WaPo following in the footsteps of bloggers (updated)

By Ed Lasky

Bloggers have performed an invaluable function since their emergence in the media world a few years ago. Whether it is uncovering the forgery of the RatherGate documents, the fauxtography that is propaganda in the service of terrorists, revealing and publicizing the odious practice of earmarks, the bias that has corrupted the media-the quest for truth is what has driven the best of the bloggers.

Now the Washington Post joins the campaign: today the paper starts a new feature-The FactChecker, which will be focused on examining the veracity of claims made by politicians. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery as the opprobrium formerly heaped on the new media practitioners (clad in pajamas, hairy knuckles, anti-social nerds, zealots-take your pick) is transformed into unintended praise.

A nod might also go to the Fact Check.Org, a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center, that has focused on reducing the level of deception and confusion in American politics.

Regardless, the new feature by the Washington Post is another example of the old media catching up with the new media. The Post is the finest general interest newspaper in America -- and though it leans liberal, it has not been turned into a propaganda sheet as has the New York Times. Whether the The FactChecker becomes a cudgle against only Republicans remains to be seen, but given the Post's generally good reputation for non-biased twisting of the news, we can look forward to some insightful commentary..

Welcome to the club!

Update: Richard Weltz adds:

It should be noted that the St. Petersburg (FL) Times has also inaugurated such a service on its Website.

See: http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/