To blog or not to blog, is that even a question these days?
Blogging-‘blog’ being short for ‘weblog’-was the topic discussed by media people of varying allegiances on Tuesday night at the Robert Gill Theatre in the Koffler Student Center. The event, put on by the Canadian Journalism Foundation, brought together a lawyer, a professional journalist, and a blogger to discuss this rising trend in what was called “citizen journalism.”
Edward Morrissey, or “Captain Ed,” famous for publishing reports from the Gomery Inquiry from his home of St. Paul, Minnesota, during a media blackout last summer, discussed what blogging means and what it can do.
“Bloggers are not necessarily journalists, but can do journalism,” Morrissey said.
“It can be unique and relevant, not only outside the mainstream media, but sometimes in opposition to it.”
Andrew Coyne is a Canadian blogger and national affairs columnist for the National Post.
“Bloggers can bring a lot of vinegar to writing. The power of the blog comes from bloggers’ ability to track down errors,” he said.
“It’s the purest type of meritocracy. Readers will find you or not based on how strongly you write.”
Julian Porter practices as an independent counsellor and is co-author of the law text Canadian Libel Practice.
“The law of libel now exists on the internet, as it does on a radio station, in magazines,” he asserted.
“The matter is who can sue and where the money is going to come from. Bloggers run sites on a small scale. What’s the point in trying to pursue a libel case involving one?”
Jesse Hirsh was the moderator for the event. He frequently contributes to the CBC and has published papers and given talks on the political economy of culture and technology. He is also the youngest on the panel, and was passionate about the habits of the young people on the web.
“The anarchy of blogging provides social capital,” Hirsh asserted. “Young people are withdrawing from the mainstream media.” Hirsh pointed out that youth are finding something in blogging and the internet that they do not have in mainstream media-a voice.
Coyne repeatedly pointed out that the major flaw in the seemingly egalitarian world of blogging is accuracy.
“There is some good in having an editor looking over your shoulder.”
