Jessica Cutler, of Washingtonienne fame, thinks blogs are “the most democratic thing ever,” and she’s right. You don’t have to have a journalism degree to publish your own blog, and you don’t have to buy a newspaper or magazine to read them. You don’t even have to have your own computer and Internet connection. Just waltz in to your local library and read the blogs that interest you. Blogging gives everyone a chance to be an author, no matter who you are or where you live.
You don’t have to be a particularly gifted author, either. The very nature of blogging allows writers to suspend the rules of composition, and to attract attention, bloggers often put good manners aside, hurl insults, make accusations, and stir up controversy. If they happen to be wrong in what they say, it’s okay. It’s tough to get a libel charge leveled against a blogger, and besides, the offended party can simply set up his or her own blog and return the insults.
Is this a model of democracy that Americans should celebrate and export around the world? Or is this merely the yammerings of an unruly mob who have exploited the freedoms that democracy should protect?
J.
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4 comments:
I am all for democracy but I feel like in certain cases blogging can exploit the freedoms democracy is supposed to protect. In my opinion bloggers should be held to the same standards as everyone else. If you feel so strongly against an issue why would you want to state these feelings anonymously? Or on a lighter note in regards to bloggers who blog about everyday life there should still be a mandate that requires bloggers to register their contact information so they can be held accountable for any harmful or illegal information. All websites are required to register their information so bloggers should be held to the same standards.
I agree that blogging is a great way for people to make their thoughts and feelings known to the world without having to be a professional author. Also I think another great thing about blogs is that you don’t have to pay money to read them, like you would for a newspaper or magazine. People feel free to write whatever, and however, they want in blogs. Unfortunately, there are downsides to this freedom. Blogs can result in people getting their feelings hurt or even ruining their reputation, because the people writing them are free to write anything. I believe that some bloggers are, in fact, exploiting their freedoms through the things they write and post online. Do you believe that bloggers should have some limitations to the content of their posts?
I believe that the concept of a blog itself justifies its existence. It engulfs democracy in totality. There are a lot of downsides to blogging, but what doesn’t have a downside? Bloggers throw light on a lot of issues and different ways to perceive them. People, before entering the Blog Arena are definitely aware of all that is at stake and still take the chance!They are free to make that choice and I think that is what matters the most!
Bloggers may be free to make the choice of what they write or don't write, but I believe it's very important that the comments people make aren't out of control. I agree that bloggers should be required to register their personal information so that they are held accountable for comments made. However, it's difficult to draw the line between comments that are appropriate versus comments that may be harmful. So, in the end I guess its best to leave the decision making up to the bloggers.
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