Has Blogging Crossed the Threshold of Legitimacy?

In an AdAge.com article from April 13, 2009 titled "Bloggers Be Warned: FTC May Monitor What You Say," writer Michael Bush reported that "As part of its review of its advertising guidelines, the FTC is proposing that word-of-mouth marketers and bloggers, as well as people on social-media sites such as Facebook, be held liable for any false statements they make about a product they're promoting." Is this perhaps an indication that blogging is coming of age? And with this "recognition of legitimacy" can a profession which has evolved out of the wild west of personal opinion continue to mature into a trusted and reliable source while still maintaining the frontier spirit that made it popular in the first place? As a dedicated "blogger" it is certainly a subject of personal interest. Join me as I welcome several special guests to discuss the responsibilities associated with achieving mainstream recognition and creditability, and its influence on the future of this new medium.