Journalists rely on weblogs for stories far more than is commonly believed, according to Wall Street Journal technology reporter Nick Wingfield.

A recent study found 51 per cent of journalists use blogs regularly, with 28 per cent depending on them for daily material. But Mr Wingfield said that sounds conservative.

"[They are] really useful to us," he told the Bulldog Reporter. "In the days before blogs, trade publications and newsletters would pick up on stories... but the point is that these can help us research story ideas. They're not research tools exactly, but they give you a sense of what people think."

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