Blogging vs. Print
Rhythmic tapping of a keyboard disturbs the night. Hums and haws are emitted over precise wording. Several hours are spent with a Web page, an e-mailed rumor and perhaps a book or newspaper article to provide context. Only now, the latest diatribe is publishable.
Click click.
The author’s mouse has authorized uploading the story to a Web server. Hits flow in from millions of international Internet readers who provide both biting and supportive comments.
Other web authors link to the story, exponentially increasing exposure. The story is quoted, sliced apart and dissected.
For a blogger, it’s just a typical day.
The online encyclopedia Wikipedia.org defines blogs as “web-based publications consisting primarily of periodic articles.” Over the years, technological advancements have made updating blogs more streamlined and stories simple to disseminate throughout an online community. Blogs can range in topic from interior design critiques to political journals.
Over the last several years, blogs have entered the mainstream lexicon. Last spring’s CBS 60 Minutes II scandal, where the authenticity of documents displayed on TV were questioned, was prompted by a number of bloggers. Political consultants, companies and celebrities have all started blogging.
Columbia Journalism Review, the publication from one of the most esteemed journalism schools, has begun regular blogging coverage. The journalism world has mixed feelings about blogging. Some journalists welcome blogging and others feel threatened.
“Blogging is part of today’s journalism,” said Winthrop mass communication department chair William Click. “Newspaper and other news media are using them.”
Click said he does not read blogs and would rather have “well-reported, well-organized and well-edited news products.”
Winthrop journalism professor Guy Reel reads blogs but is more interested in sites that link to other sites, such as the Drudge Report or Sploid.
“Sometimes [blogs] are useful sources of information, sometimes not,” Reel said. “Sometimes they’re too extreme, but other times they provide a different perspective on information that otherwise might not be available.”
Winthrop english professor Jo Koster believes blogs are an important new form of online literacy. Koster’s critical reading, thinking and writing 201 class requires that students read, analyze and write blogs.
“There are more than 17 million blogs right now, more than half of which are active,” Koster said. “I think [one] can see how big the movement has become.”
Some professors also think blogs are positive.
“I think [blogs] are good way for the voice of the citizenry to be heard,” said Winthrop mass communication professor Marilyn Sarow. “But I also think the information should be considered as opinion and highly suspect.”
Others don’t believe blogging to be important.
“It doesn’t seem all that groundbreaking,” said Winthrop junior computer science major J Maher. “Their focus is too specific, doesn’t give the broad picture or have mass appeal.”
“At this point, I don’t feel blogging is a threat to journalism,” said mass communication instructor Mark Nortz. “I think people who read blogs ultimately rely on respected news agencies for legitimate information.”
As for professors personally blogging, Click said, “Anyone who blogs on the Internet should understand that the entire world can read what they’re writing and they will be held fully responsible.”
“Numerous people have been fired from their jobs for their blogs,” Click said. “I haven’t heard about any professors so far. It will happen.”
