MSNBC.com, the joint owned Microsoft and NBC media site, has launched Blog This, a new communication tool designed to help MSN Spaces bloggers share information and ideas with friends and the public. Blog This allows MSN Spaces bloggers to quickly and efficiently post blogs related to specific MSNBC.com news stories and immediately communicate their opinions to others.

“Being a top online new source is about much more than providing a place for people to find up-to-the-minute information,” said Dean Wright, Editor-in- Chief of MSNBC.com. “It’s about helping people use and share that information. MSNBC.com’s Blog This gives individuals command over the news. They can post commentary and sway opinions — bring a new level of vibrancy and activity to standard reporting. It’s a form of editorializing that really brings news to life at the personal level.”

“With more than 150 million users of MSN Messenger, the reach potential for MSNBC news blogging is extraordinary,” continued Wright. “The easy to use format of MSN Spaces and the blogging feature are sure to prompt a great quantity and quality of opinions. This unprecedented insight to the readers will be fascinating to watch unfold. Blog This brings the power of information to the people — letting them share professional news with a personal spin.”

Not suprisingly, users must be a member of MSN Spaces to use the Blog This feature and will be prompted to register if not a current member.

In tests, the “Blog This” function only provided a link to the MSNBC story, without providing any of the content or text.