Has Live Blogging Gone Too Far?

After a lecture on live blogging this week I was intrigued about the up-to-the-minute form of journalism and decided to have a look at some past live blogs.

In the lecture Rebekah Van Druten talked about using live blogs to report on events like sport, disasters or even press conferences. I understand that the value of live blogging comes from the idea that a live blog can allow online media to compete with other forms of rolling coverage like radio and television, but has the media taken this new trend too far?

Ms Van Druten spoke about the BBC's attempt to live blog about singer Amy Winehouse's death a few months ago. As this was not an event where information was revealed bit by bit, layer by layer, it was an ineffective style of reporting.

In my research I came across another example of live blogging gone wrong:

A live blog by The Guardian detailing the launch of the UK's 2011 season of reality dancing show, Strictly Come Dancing.

In a time where any show on television can be watched on the channel's website at viewers' leisure, do we really need a live report on the dancing prowess of celebrities?

Perhaps if the live blog was written by a ballroom dance expert who could provide further insight or commentary, similar to that of a sports commentator - but writer Heidi Stephens says:

"Please note that from a technical standpoint I know very little about ballroom dancing, so you're unlikely to find insightful commentary on arm positioning and swan-like necks here. The extent of my knowledge of latin dancing can be measured in Zumba classes."

Well at least she is honest.

Perhaps live blogging is a useful tool in the right place at the right time, but are reports like this early indicators that this trend has simply become a gimmick?