The impact of the digital world on the social surroundings has been growing over the past decades, along with the access to the internet, spreading of mobile technology and increased interest in non-conventional information transfer mechanisms. The discussion around blogging and blogosphere, as it is referred to by the scholars is very closely linked to the ethical questions, concerning communication and information exchange. The reality shows that the freedom of communication and expression of opinion comes very close to the definition of the concept of democracy. And, yet, even the traditional and, presumably, well-defined concept of democracy causes numerous discussions and debates in academic and social contexts. Various opinions surround blogging. Some academics and professionals argue that blogging is a parasite of the conventional media and should be considered as a “disease” of the contemporary media environment. The others, however, see blogging as a manner to enhance to concept and outreach of democracy and attribute such qualities as development of knowledge and expression of freedom to the blogosphere. The argument of this work is that blogging is a positive occurrence and should be considered as a benefit for the society, as long as it is subject to the generic “filters” and regulations, which are applicable to the conventional media sources.
Another standpoint on blogging is expressed by Coady, who challenges Goldman´s view in his article An Epistemic Defense of the Blogosphere (2011). The author argues that blogging is another great manner to develop democracy and build on free expression and word. He provides various arguments to argue against Goldman´s view. Coady´s work focuses on the benefit of blogging in terms of building on wider and more authentic channels of information, which provide faster error correction and do not suffer alteration and are not jeopardized by traditional filtering mechanisms. Secondly, the author counter-argues that the fact that bloggers have faster, and less bureaucratic access to the information transmission channels and benefit from the shared environment allows them to create and develop more efficient mechanisms for “truth” and fact checker as well as enable multiple source information.
Finally, Coady challenges Goldman´s statement on the blogosphere as a “parasite” on the conventional media by arguing that “if bloggers offered nothing original, very few people would read them” The authors admit that the argument with regards to the little access to the primary information sources undermines the accuracy of the information, provided in the blogs. He, however, notes that interviews and personal contact often can substitute the sources, available to professional journalists.
One can argue that blogs are platforms for extremists, which opens an opportunity for the discussions, which can damage the society. Others may disagree, mentioning the outlining role of social media and blogosphere on the development of an open media and democracy in general.
The point that should be made here is that every concept, which provides access to wide public and offers uncontrolled and open information channel, will cause debates and discussion in the academic and professional worlds. There are several concerning issues, which should be considered with regards to the development of blogging. These issues primarily include the impact of the inaccurate information on the social opinion, the long-term influence of the blogs on the conventional media and the challenges of avoiding the usage of blogs as a communication channel for extremists. The benefits of this media channel, however, overcome the downsides. First of all, bloggers offer new and authentic approach to the subjects, which concern the community and open up new communication channel, which is not available through conventional media sources. Secondly, the speed of error correction and time, which joint bloggers´ efforts can dedicate to the investigation and exploration of the subject are much superior to those of professional journalists working conventional media channels. Finally, blog is a new substitute product to the conventional media, which builds on the competitive environment and can serve as a natural quality control mechanism in the area. With that in mind, blogging is a positive occurrence and is good for society and I second Coady´s position on the topic. Under the current circumstances, some classic and reasonable filtered should be imposed on this media source to avoid its abuse by criminal and extremists minds.
References
Coady D. (2011). An Epistemic Defense of the Blogosphere. Journal of Applied Philosophy. Vol. 28, Issue 3. Print.
Goldman A. (2008). The Social Epistemology of Blogging. Information Technology and Moral Philosophy. Cambridge University Press: 111-122. Print.
