The blogosphere is of course blurring the lines of what a “professional” journalist really is and in the end, my feeling is that a rating system will be developed (not based on popularity or web links – but on journalistic performance and writing ability, etc. In this way one can differentiate the best and most capable from the rumor mill and wannabe bloggers.

I have actually been putting quite a bit of thought toward this and see real business potential in creating a ranking and rating business based on a set of validated criteria that are academically supported and easily understood by all.

It would separate the true professional from the rest and provide the consumer with access to those most worthy…what do you think about that?

I tried to find out how much they charge, but had to sign up for a trial subscription to find out. Here is CJR said:

It has around 40,000 “regular readers,” most of whom come from the slightly less than 2,000 institutional subscribers that comprise local, state, and national governments, embassies, major corporations, universities, think tanks, law firms, consultants, lobbyists, and environmental groups.

So it can support 40 journalists with 2,000 subscribers. Interesting. They must charge a good deal indeed.