Getting to know the Blogosphere

(Source: Daily Blog Tips, 2008)

The term "blog" generates from the word "weblog" which is described as an online daily journal or a website with dated entries (McDougall 2007). From my personal perspective, a typical blog consists of the combination of text, photos and links to other blogs and sites related to its topic. According to Scocco (2008) , we can differentiate blogs from other websites based on a few features stated below:

1. The content of a blog is published in a chronological fashion.
2. The content of a blog is updated regularly by the blog author.
3. The readers have the possibilities to leave comments.
4. The content of a blog is syndicated via RSS feeds.

Undeniable, blogging as the current phenomenon is steadfastly a part of the mainstream and it is still growing. Based on the statistics report analyzed by Technorati (2007), there are over 120,000 new blogs and over 1.4 million new blog posts created every day! These are really shocking figures to learn.

Statistic shows a vast amount of blogs being created each day.

(Source: Technorati, 2007)

So, what are the current trends and types of blogs prevalent in Europe, Asia and Malaysia? State of the Blogosphere 2009 states that the use of Twitter and the impact that bloggers had on political events around the world are two obvious leading trends for 2009 in the blogosphere. In Malaysian context, online media (blogs) have increased citizens' access to alternative news and information sources (CIMA 2009). Many people have turned to the blogosphere to update themselves on information and events, especially topics related to political issues, that are usually given minimal coverage in other forms of media. Here an interesting fact: Research shows that 70% of the election results were influenced by the information in the blogs (The Star 2008). This shows that bloggers have the power to influence people's decision.


I personally think that the rising number of political blogs is beneficial to Malaysians as they have offered citizens an alternative platform to discuss their views on Malaysian political situations. They have gained more freedom of speech for citizen commentary and we can say that the government's monopoly on coverage is challenged indirectly. 

For instance, Jeff Ooi's blog is one of the political blogs that have deep influence to the Malaysian community. Readers can obtain information which are 'over-looked' by mainstream media freely.

Jeff Ooi's blog had a great impact on politics in Malaysia.

On the other hand, even our current Prime Minister, Dato' Sri Mohd. Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak has also created his own website, which works the same as blogs to update the nation on his views and thoughts.

Najib Tun Razak's blog that connects him to his people of Malaysia.

References:

Blogsphere of Inflence: Internet Press Freedom in Malaysia 2009, Center for International Media Assistance, viewed 9 April 2010, < http://cima.ned.org/events/malysia-event.html >.

McDougall, JS 2007, Start Your Own Blogging Business, Entrepreneur Media Inc., Canada.

Sifry, D 2007, The Sate of the Live Web, Sifry's Alert, viewed 9 April 2010,
< http://www.sifry.com/alerts/archives/000493.html >.

Sussman, M 2009, 'Day 5: Twitter, Global Impact and Future of Blogging - SOTB 2009', Technorati, viewed 9 April 2010, < http://technorati.com/blogging/article/day-5-twitter-global-impact-and/ >.

The Star 2008, 'Blogging in Malaysia ranks among highest in the world', viewed 9 April 2010, < http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/3/nation/20827588&sec=nation >.