I have enjoyed listening to the TCS Daily Podcasts. I heard something interesting in this podcast, featuring Stephen D. Cooper, an Associate Professor of Communications at Marshall University, about which I haven't seen anyone else comment. It is about his new book, "Watching the Watchdog: Bloggers As the Fifth Estate" and he discusses the roll of the blogosphere in policing the MSM.

The host, Ed Driscoll, asked him to "talk a little bit more about how your book defines the relationship between bloggers and the press." (at 1:40)

Professor Cooper replied, "Well, I would say the relationship is very much similar to the long-standing roll the press and the other branches of government..."

I have heard others, notably in the Pajamas Media podcasts, especially Glenn Reynolds, make the case that the press fancies themselves to be a fourth branch of government, but is was interesting to hear this Associate Professor of Communications refer to "the press and the other branches of government."