Week One: What is the biggest issue facing blogging, citizenship and the future of media?

The Biggest issue that a blogger faces is the lack of privacy and credibility. Blogging is a form of expression, the right to freedom of speech, but a blog can cause controversy if it falls into the wrong hands. Writing out one's thoughts can be a healthy way of expressing thoughts and emotions. I have even proven this method in the past by using a journal as a way of recording a good memory or even for the sake of a good rant. However, I find that the best part of writing in a journal was the ability to vent out my feelings without anybody being affected by my words. When people use sites such as LiveJournal or Blogger to rant or gossip, the targeted subject can be affected emotionally because they too have access to their sites. This can bring about new ways of bullying, and even cause political or social conflict.

Aside from expression, many people use blogs as a way of gaining attention. People like Perez Hilton for example, http://perezhilton.com/. His blog features "juicy celebrity gossip" that people use for... entertainment purposes? Although his site is similar to an online tabloid, it has become a popular source of celebrity information. Blogs are easily accessable. Easier than leaving work during lunch hour, running to the store, picking up a magazine or newspaper and finding the time to read it before bed. Sure we can access them easily, but how credible are the sources?
If you do not know much about the author, can you trust their opinion enough to make it your own? Interestingly enough, The future is looking 'blog-friendly' with converging technology that allows you to blog from your cell phone. It will be harder to escape blogs in the future, the best solution is to read with caution.

This link outlines a few dangers about blogging : http://www.slais.ubc.ca/COURSES/libr500/05-06-wt1/www/A_Cho/dangers.htm.

An article about kids and their blogs: http://http//www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7668788/page/2/