"On the one hand, blogging is a potent tool for expressing the responsible public opinion in the Church...
"On the other hand, no one even slightly familiar with the blogosphere can help being aware that it's the kingdom of the gossips, the ideologues, the cranks and the no-holds-barred venters of spleen — a place in cyberspace where opinion, rumor, ad hominem nastiness and unfettered ego-tripping are par for the course.
"Web logs are an extraordinary medium for the instantaneous exchange of views and information among activists. Their speed, outreach and unofficial character give them their influence. But the blogs lack the checks and balances of traditional journalism and manifest a kind of congenital unreliability."
So, the difference between weblogs and the mainstream media would be...
3 comments:
I think the blog is more like commentry than news reporting. At this point, I don't even think we can trust newspapers or news programs as we used to. When the Enquirer and newspapers like it gained more power in the public mind some newspapers went in that direction to capture people's interest. Gossip magazines are common.
The blog does not proport to be newsmen or women. You get a reputation by being consistently right or reflecting certain points of view. Anyone can check the views against events but it may be too hard. The blogs give opinions, share experiences and challenge what some people in the news say. No one is saying all things said are hard and fast. But as we see in school text books, no one is saying anymore that what is written is the truth, and nothing but the truth.
Individual views expressed help us see different ways of viewing an issue. In the long run people can come to some opinion of what's true. I've seen people make statements about the Roman Catholic church and now some Catholics can respond with an explanation or their view of what they perceive to be bias or misunderstanding. It's rapid response - just like radio talk shows or like politics has become.
We see too much slant in traditional media - TV news, newspaper, even magazines. Bias on the blog happens but at least more people have a voice.
...the difference? A LOT of dead trees...
I read Man with Black Hat for opinion and some news.
In the formal news media we have lots of opinion and some news. The difference comes not only in paper used up, but some difference occurs in the writer of the opinion. Some are very careful in their assessments. Some are doctinaire in their posts, especially regarding politics.
Blogs have greatly improved my finding news of particular interest to me. I read those blogs that share similar values and have learned that I can often trust the judgement of the writers.
DocJim
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