Some people love blogging while others seem to hate it. As a prominent way of gathering news, discussing opinions and becoming part of a community I think that blogs are important to understand and be able to utilize.
What makes blogs so loved or hated? Everyone has their own opinion but these are some of mine. Blogs tend to take a more casual tone so readers feel like they take a part in telling the news. Many full-time bloggers take the time to respond to their comments thus making their readers feel like an important part of the blogging process. Most blogs tend to focus on one specific topic such as sports, fashion, politics, etc. This allows readers to gain instant updates on their interests without having to dig through pages of Google or links on newspaper websites.
On the other hand, many people avoid blogs. Their reasons range. Blogs can be unreliable. Depending on who the author of the blog is you can never be sure if what they are discussing it fact. It is important to keep in mind that most blogs include their opinions. Some feel like blogs are taking away from the practice of journalism and this notion is 'everyone can be a journalist' is hurtful.
It doesn't matter if your a blogger right now or not I think it's a good idea to get into the practice of following blogs. As more news organizations begin charging for their online content blogs are going to be the next source for what you want to know.
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It's kind of funny how much blogs have been emphasized as a major part of the future of communications and the media. I was reading Capitol File Magazine, and Kate Walsh (Grey's Anatomy) had an interesting take on blogging:
ReplyDeleteCF: What is your take on social networking and putting the mundane actions of your life in an e-post for everyone to read?
KW: I think it’s fine if you are promoting work, but otherwise I think it’s symptomatic of an increasingly narcissistic and self-indulgent culture. I say write in your super-top-secret journal and keep it under your pillow. Oops, did I just basically blog?
http://www.capitolfile-magazine.com/CF_EF09_054_DEA.html
Ehh, I don't know that I agree with that last comment. Assuming that everyone following you on Twitter wants to hear about your drunken escapades is 100% narcissistic, that's for sure. But for people who simply want to spread information because either a)it's work-related or b)you have an innate passion for it I think that blogging is a great tool. I don't think that means your blog posts necessarily have to fall into the category of "promoting work" in order for it to have valuable information, either--some of the best blogs I've read are about people who are insanely passionate, well-read, and informed of a hobby.
ReplyDeleteBlogs do serve a good purpose in our journalistic world. They can provide insight to stories that other major news outlets wouldn't produce, or be able to produce because of competition with other major outlets or just access. I think it's a good way to diversify your news, as long as you know that it's going to include the opinion of the writer, and that you are able to form your own opinion and analysis as well.
ReplyDeleteAngie, do blogs have to include the opinion of the writer? Why?
ReplyDeleteKatherine, you make an excellent point. It's also more than a little ironic that an actress would take about keeping her life private. Actors put themselves in the public eye (and demand the public's attention) far more than bloggers do, no?