Dave Winer, Berkman Center fellow and veteran blogger, spoke today about the role of blogging in politics.  Based on his experience on the 2004 campaign trail, Winer argued that blogging has created a powerful alternative to mainstream media: the citizen journalist.  Motivated individuals now have the tools to publish their views on candidates and comprehensive coverage of the issues.  According to Winer, the medium has several advantages over the conventional alternatives: biases are easier to determine, corporate interests are not at stake, and bloggers are unbeholden to advertisers.  Read Winer's notes about the presentation, citizen journalists, and the role of weblogs.