How many more shootings, DWIs, and petty violations of the law do we need to watch on television before we’ve had enough? This just in: Albuquerque’s local media outlets are failing miserably in their role as a source of local information and analysis. This is especially true in broadcast television.

Fortunately, the age of citizen journalism has arrived. Bloggers and podcasters now have the opportunity to elevate the level of debate around those issues that are of the utmost importance to the Duke City. Instead of discussing DWIs and car crashes, our local media should be concerned with water use, the security of our food supply, nutrition in public schools, and disaster preparedness.

I do not mean to suggest that professional journalists should be replaced by local bloggers. However, bloggers can play an important role in calling attention to the issues and events that really matter. Bloggers of the Duke City unite, we have nothing to gain but a higher quality of television news!