A writer who writes and maintains a blog is a blogger and the journal
that he makes available on the web is a blog. Most blogs are like
personal diaries with material appearing in a chronological order. The
blog is also a forum for exchange of ideas and opinions as the reader
can, in turn, if he wishes write his own comments to the blog. This
innovation to personal expression has its own lexicon and is fast
emerging as a new way of communication.
Since its inception in
around 1994, blogging has evolved from being personal views and diaries
to news and commentary blogs. The question is are blogs just random
thoughts and personal expressions or are they similar to well sourced
traditional journalism?
Blogs straddle two worlds that of talk
shows be it radio or television and reporting. Just as SMS made clear
inroads into evolution of language, blogging is set to revolutionize
journalism. What blogging brings to the fore is unfettered freedom of
expression. The writers give flight to their inner voice and just as
medieval writers of the periods of revolution did, state in no uncertain
terms what they perceive as facts. More often than not, the information
is not contained by editors or political affiliations or the patronage
of people in power.
Blogging has caught the imagination of the
young and old and established writers, lawyers, techies, and other
professionals are using the avenue to "spread their thoughts and words."
Blogging is on the fast track and has established a place in "opinion
journalism." It is seen by many to be a form of self declared
independence.
With blogging all you need to do is convert your
musings or fire and brimstone into a pdf file and upload it for all
interested to view. Gone are the days when you had to knock on the doors
of editors and publishers to get your work published. And, if your blog
is popular you could attract millions of readers each day.
Concerns
serious journalists have is that blogs can be biased opinions and
contain inaccurate information. Yet blogs contain skeptical analysis,
critical commentary, and alternative perspectives that are rarely
exposed by mainstream journalism. Very often in situations of unrest and
war it is blogs that bring to life personal, colorful, and first hand
experiences. Not all blogs are random thought, and writers often provide
sources and links so that readers can verify facts. Surprisingly today
often breaking news can be found on blogs earlier than in traditional
media. And many bloggers have established for themselves a great
standing in their field.
Blogging according to lawmakers needs
to address closely aspects of trust, credibility, integrity,
transparency, and ethics. Many bloggers feel that the very basis is to:
disclose all pertinent information and never to state as fact anything
but the truth; provide links to facts that are present online;
publicly correct misinformation; note questionable and biased sources
and opinions. Freedom must be savored and not misused.
Web blogs
according to experts are all set to outrank the New York Times web site
by 2007. Blogging, the creation of pure love for writing and opinions,
is all set to establish new trends in journalism. It gives wing to the
freedom of thought and the written word.