New Media, New Bully?
The growing trend in this country to judge something’s worth on the basis of its immediacy, efficiency, and consolidation is a notion I have tried, to a large extent, to avoid, in that sense you could say I am a little old fashioned. It seems to me that a lot of substance gets lost in this preoccupation. This, in my opinion is partly why the term “blog” is as common as fork and spoon to some while at the same time completely foreign to others. The first time I understood the term blog as an ongoing dialogue came from its reference in a television program on showtime. Like that moment, this week’s readings left me with that feeling of disorientation one has after waking up from a long nap. That feeling in many ways speaks to Gillmor’s message in her opening discussion of “We the Media.”
The thing that strikes me as particularly interesting about Gillmor’s discussion and thoughts about the new face of media is her tempered approach of both acknowledging the virtues of new journalism while not completely dismissing the “big media” model. The term internet has essentially become synonymous with potential but advancement in a vacuum doesn’t really help anyone whose goal is more than the pursuit of money. To that end the blog is a powerful mashup that bolsters the nature and duty of the fourth estate. The nature of politics is discussion and persuasion and one of the key components of that is establishing a personal connection with the audience. I can’t think of a better way to build that connection on massive scale than through blogging. I read in an article that Walter Cronkite was once considered the most trust worthy man in America. Given the nature of blogs and the potential for viewers to gain insight into the people’s lives to whom they are subscribing you have to wonder just how many others will be elevated to that level and whether or not they would be a mainstream reporter, single mother, or college student.
One concern that I continually looked for Gillmor to address but didn’t is the issue of law. For the simple reason that law is my passion it is something that I automatically look for in whatever I am doing. Blogging is great as a tool of empowerment but what laws is it subject to? Court rulings as far as I am aware have awarded internet content with the similar levels of protection as print. But, nonetheless, print media is still subject to scrutiny especially when it comes to defamation of character, and other acts that can be deemed harmful. Who in those instances assumes responsibility? People can create infinite identities for themselves online therefore it seems impossible for the law to go after and producer of content. Do they then go after the publisher? If I write something libelous could wordpress be culpable? And so the learning process begins, one answer leads to 20 more questions.
1) Aside from widely held norms and practices how does statute law affect blogging and grassroots movements taking place over the internet?
2) Should new media practices completely replace the big media model? Would we be gaining or losing in your opinion?
