Blogosphere: the emerging Media Ecosystem
How Weblogs and Journalists work together to Report, Filter and Break the News
Trying to understand the complex relationship between bloggers and journalists has become my own personal Waterloo.
I’ve taken a few stabs at it already, and learned a lot along the way. Lesson One: Blogs can do a tremendous job breaking news, and journalists are wise to start their own to tap that power. Lesson Two: Some rare bloggers become amateur journalists, a status which brings with it its own unique ethical challenges. Lesson Three: Most bloggers are more like Columnists than capital-J Journalists.
Web logging can serve many roles
Corporate Web logging — an emerging way for companies to get the word out about products and services — is getting quite a bit of notice from the online community. Does it really work? What are its potential uses — and abuses?
Web logs are regularly (even daily) updated Web pages offering a blend of commentary and links. They can be personality-based, news-oriented or topic-specific, but they share the qualities of immediacy, iconoclasm and a highly active feedback loop.
As a grass-roots vehicle, blogs (as they’re nicknamed) have largely been the domain of individuals, not businesses. There are an estimated 500,000 blogs on the Web (nobody really knows the exact number), most of which are broadsides of sorts for their authors.
“I wonder why it is you think there are such strong sentiments in Europe against you and against this administration?” the reporter said. “Why, particularly, there’s a view that you and your administration are trying to impose America’s will on the rest of the world, particularly when it comes to the Middle East and where the war on terrorism goes next?”
Turning to Mr. Chirac, he added in French: “And, Mr. President, would you maybe comment on that?”
“Very good,” Mr. Bush said sardonically. “The guy memorizes four words, and he plays like he’s intercontinental.”
“I can go on,” Mr. Gregory offered.
“I’m impressed — que bueno,” said Mr. Bush, using the Spanish phrase for “how wonderful.” He deadpanned: “Now I’m literate in two languages.”
Bugs may control weather: Study
British scientists have launched a study to find out if airborne bugs in clouds control the Earth’s weather.
Scientists believe certain bug species may have evolved the ability to manipulate the weather in order to secure their own survival.