Edinburgh Napier University

  The article develops the concept of ePunditry, a putative new lens through which to view the work of political blogging and associated digital modes. It starts by describing three conceptual frameworks which appear highly relevant: the information society thesis, the idea of the fifth estate and its relationship with the fourth, and the Habermasian ideal of deliberative democracy. The empirical content of the inquiry comprises interviews with twenty-seven political bloggers, ranging from celebrated figures such as Guido Fawkes and Iain Dale to lesser-known, arguably heroic practitioners working as far afield as Lebanon and Trinidad. The article evaluates their responses, where possible mapping these onto the conceptual frameworks, for example by showing their contribution to an activist form of democratic politics. It is concluded that ePunditry represents a useful new construct for journalism studies.