Traditional Media focused on selected speakers dominating a debate while millions watched by the sidelines as mere spectators. Today, the Blog is a powerful voice of Democratization.
Political Power
A politician who can attest to the power of Blogs is Trent Lott. A U.S senate majority leader in 2002, Mr. Lott made inflammatory comments during a birthday party which, though picked by the mainstream media, made little impact. The incident however received intense online comments and prodding, forcing the mainstream media to revisit the story. The renewed attention eventually turned Senator Lott’s gaffe into a major scandal. He was forced to resign.
Social Activism
As a means to achieve social justice, the best example of the might of blogs is Iran. Weblogs have filled the gaps left after the Islamic Government closed down reformist media outlets. Sina Motallebi a prominent Iranian blogger was at one time imprisoned for “Undermining national security through; Cultural activity’’. Iranian bloggers teamed up with other well-known English-Language bloggers creating a formidable online coalition. High profile media attention and the Blogger was finally released.
Enhancing Democracy
Under-Sea fibre optic cables are linking the world’s continent. This technology will ease internet connectivity and information flow between countries. As accessibility increases worldwide, more web diarists will come online. Bloggers are average people reacting to authority and what the ‘experts’ are saying. Recalling Jay Rosen’s, "Ten Things Radical about the Weblog Form of Journalism;" -“Journalism classic assumes that democracy is what we have, and info is what we seek, whereas in the Blogosphere, info is what we have and Democracy is what we seek’’ (Rosen 10).
Blogs and Mainstream Media
Comparing the Blogosphere to television, Jay Rosen also points out; -“Weblogs are a more effective public access point and have ability to compete in the same public space as hugely capitalized Media Companies’’. As audiences within the web grow, the Blog will be the ultimate tool in fighting for Democratic ideals. Mainstream Media has seen the threat of Blogs to their profits and is now investing heavily in the internet. According to Ted Turner former owner of CNN, in his article My Beef With Big Media published in the Washington Monthly 2004; -“The top 20 new internet sites are owned by big Media conglomerates that control the broadcast and cable networks’’.
The influence of the Blogosphere is more likely to grow than dwindle. It provides ordinary citizens with a platform to post their views without any fears of censorship and alternatively the Blogosphere is a boon to free expression and Democracy.
OLUOCH.J OKELLO - Okello is a talented business and medical writer, with many years of literary experience in various firms.
