Monday, October 15, 2001

 

Blogs play important, necessary role

The Los Angeles Times ran a story saying Personal Web Logs Put a Face on a Faraway Disaster. It basically says that people outside the blogging community didn't take blogs seriously until after Sept. 11.

Now, it seems, more people are taking them seriously because, among other reasons, they give personal views of world events instead of traditional journalism's objective views. Also, bloggers find information from dozens of Web sites, compare and contrast that information and express their opinions.

While some information industry experts are still critical of the way bloggers present the news, they agree that blogs have become important for people who want instant information and opinions.

Personal opinions are what I think is the most important function of blogs. It's very difficult for some people to watch the news and read the newspaper then figure out what they think about events, and if their feelings are in tune with others. Just about everyone can probably find a blogger who validates his/her feelings.

Another important thing to remember about blogs is that they're uncensored. In light of the fact that some major news outlets have agreed to government-suggested censorship concerning certain issues, I think it's vital that there is some kind of uncensored venue.

Yes, it's also important to remember that there is misinformation in blogs as well. However, it's easy to find the truth and, in a strange way, interesting to see the lengths to which people will go to spread misinformation.

As long as people remember blogs shouldn't be used as one's primary news source, I think they play an important and necessary role in today's ever-changing society.

posted by Anne 10/15/2001 07:53:00 AM