CNN Buries the Lede

CNN has the story of a new poll that shows, in their words, 'only 7 percent' of those surveyed said they read blogs several times a week. In addition, a mere 26% were very or somewhat familiar with blogs. The findings are presented with the unmistakable implication that blogs are a fringe phenomenon.

I find those statistics to be absolutely amazing. Turn CNN's half-empty approach around, and the interpretation is that 1 out of 4 (!!!) Americans is now familiar with the concept of blogging, and 7% regularly read them. This, for a medium composed largely of amateurs who are receiving very little or no pay for their services, with audiences built largely through word of mouth, rather than a formal distribution channel.

Does that sound like a fringe movement to you?