Celebrity Blogs

I recently came across this site for the best celebrity web blog as of November 1st 2007. Gilbert Arenas (I’d never heard of him either!) appears to possess the most popular, with his blog entitled Agent Zero. Well, judging from his blog he would appear to be a big name basketball player. I have to say I thought his blog was pretty self-praising. For a start there was one blog in which we are simple told about all his charity work in raising money for under priveliged schools. Whilst one link brought me to this “heartwarming” video which only furthers my scepticism of the motives behind his blog.

I felt this image, perhaps best summed up Gilbert Arena’s humble opinions of himself! 

Interactivity

A major difference between online news and traditional news is the high levels of interactivity which online journalism can afford its audience. Aside from letters to the editor, there is no other way the public can voice their opinions through “traditional journalism”. This can hardly be viewed as a healthy situation. Online journalism however, allows readers to comment on each individual story. Therefore, for example, should one take strong offence in something Eamon Dunphy has said, they are afforded ample opportunity to respond to his views and put forward their own thoughts on the topic. All of the major names, Irish Times, Irish Independent, etc have incorporated the ability for the reader to comment into their online editions. This can start lengthy debates on controversial issues as people put forward their contrasting views. Other forms of interactivity evident within online news are the various polls which provide the public the chance to vote on one major issue. This allows us to discover what appears to be the consensual view of the people on major issues. For example, after Bertie Ahern’s resignation, the Independent online had a poll asking would his departure benefit the opposition parties or not. Thus, an insight was gained as to what was the general feeling on the ground after his departure. Interactivity is not entirely healthy however. It once again puts forward the argument about whether amateur writers should be allowed to put their sometimes radical views into the public domain. It often means that some professional journalists may have their work torn to pieces as commentators put forward theories which actually have very little evidence to back them up. Whilst, the public have a right to deliver a certain level of feedback on a journalists work, it is unfair that a professional should have their reputation tarnished and their work ridiculed by some chancer who just doesn’t like what he’s read.      

         

Ethics of Online Journalism

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has set a rigid code of conduct which all journalists are expected to adhere to and respect. This code of conduct is to be followed by any writer who wishes to be referred to as a journalist, whether this be someone who writes for a newspaper or writes online. Indeed perhaps, the core question of what differentiates a “blogger” from a journalist is how they respond to this code within their work.

This once again, raises the question of accountability. Print journalists will, by their nature be held accountable for what they write and put into the public domain. A faceless name behind a computer screen ultimately has the choice of whether or not they want to live up to these same high standards.

  

Local Media

 

The internet may supply journalists with a worldwide medium, however in reality, there are very few news stories which really affect the whole world. Thus, online journalism needs to keep much of it’s works in context. Most online branches manage this by dividing their sites, into various sections, with local news, world news and sport the most prominent features. I decided to try and track down my own local papers online editions to see what sort of quality they had to offer. I was less than impressed with what I found. There are two papers in Monaghan, The Northern Standard and The Monaghan Post. If you click the links, you will see that The Post’s online edition looks like a bad blog page whilst The Standard simply doesnt have an online edition. I also found this article from the Irish Examiner which I felt basically summed up the fact that Monaghan is most definitely not the journalistic centre of the Universe.

Hyper-linking

Hyperlinking within online articles is a very useful way for a journalist to add much needed strength to their work. Two of the fundamental features of journalism include, that reporters are designated a specific word count with which to work and that their work must be backed up by reliable sources. Links are a useful tool in helping with both of these requirements. A journalist is able to provide much needed background information to add context to certain stories through a use of links. He/she may not have space for this information within their article, thus the use of link is most welcome. It also enables the reader to actively take part in finding the news. If they disagree with a journalist’s opinion on any given issue, links help them to gain a helpful insight into where that journalist was coming from by backing up his argument. It adds a level of transparency to the journalists work as the reader can, with the click of a mouse, find out basically everything they need to know about an issue. A link to a government press release ensures the reader is provided with much the same information the journalist had to work with. On the negative side of things, some sites drastically overuse links, which can be quite irritating, especially if the links bring you to a series of most unwanted advertisements! Often, the link site may be shut down or removed for whatever reason, therefore leaving the journalists own article somewhat lacking in credibility. The Huffington Post is an example of an online news outlet which strongly indulges in linking.

Bloggers vs Journalists

Few can argue about the undoubted potential which online journalism could possess, yet, it is this very potential that, once used in the wrong hands, could be most damaging to actual journalism.Online journalism presents any budding reporter with their dream scenario – a global audience. Thus ensuring the influence that reporter may inflict upon their readers is limitless.The core element of real journalism is the fact that a writer will be held to full account for what he/she publishes. If they indulge in spreading wild propaganda then, inevitably, they will be discovered and swiftly dismissed. “Online journalists” or bloggers need not worry about such consequences.That is not to say, that many bloggers don’t have the greatest intentions but without having to meet approval by the necessary authorities, there will always be question marks regarding authenticity, accuracy and on a very basic level, truth. Without having to take account for what they publish, these “online journalists” could ensure misinformation and propaganda spread like wild fire.“If our power to verify the facts does not keep pace, the distortions of information will eventually choke us”.  - Norman MailerPeople will always have their own agendas to look after, be it political, sporting or otherwise. Impartiality in journalism is not so much a necessity these days but it certainly helps! Bloggers would naturally use the web as a means to promote their own beliefs and thus these biased beliefs would be portrayed to the masses on a far grander stage than anything Kevin Myers or Fintan O’ Toole could muster up. “You dont give the mic to the rabble”, as my old friend  John Waters put it. Well, thats the glass half empty side of the debate anyway, but of course there are many positives that a future dominated by online journalism could herald. It provides a fluid content, updating and informing as the events happen. Not a yesterday’s news today style which print journalism is naturally forced to endure. There are many reliable sites out there, www.ireland.com, www.nytimes.com, www.unison.ie to name but a few. These genuine sources of online journalism are most welcome.

Take two…..Action!

Well, this is Pauric (above) and this is my repeat blog for online journalism, here’s hoping it goes better than the first time around!!!!!