The BlogHer report on "Covering a Virtual World" on the Second Life Cable Network followed three real world journalists and their experiences covering in-world stories.
The journalists explained how essential in-world news is for residents to access what's going on in the in-world without actually having to log on to second life. This can be quite beneficial for those that may not be able to log on to second life at the time, such as when at work or due to a firewall.
Although second life residents greatly appreciate in-world news, finding sources and stories in the virtual world can be quite challenging because it relies heavily on word of mouth, which means that an in-world journalist must continuously build a large network of friends.
In-world journalists also endure constant skeptics who criticize they're involvement with the virtual world, and question the necessity of their work. The journalists explain that although the news they report on may not be momentous it is certainly fascinating and does feed human interests.
Perhaps what makes in-world news so beneficial is the way it can surpass real world news when it comes to reaching your stories destination. To obtain an in-person interview, a real world journalist would have to reach their source by plane, train, or car. This process can not only take up valuable time, but also contribute to the pollution of our earth. An in-world journalist can virtually contact and speak to a source that is across the earth in just a matter seconds. One journalist commented on an instance where she talked to an Iranian student about his first-hand experience during the Iraq vs. Iran war. The journalist explained that the interview was not only amazing, but an opportunity that was made possible through second life.