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"Citizen Journalists"

Blogging and journalism are two things that we have discussed in length during class. We have also spent a lot of time discussing whether all bloggers are journalists. The conclusion we came to was “no.”  In Rettberg’s article, “Citizen Journalists”, he discusses the difference and similarities of the two, and when the distinction or lack there of, is important.

Rettberg points out the three ways that blogs approach journalism:

1. First-hand reports
2. Bloggers as independent journalists and opinionists
3. Gatewatching

Rettberg really strived to make the connection that mainstream media and independent blogs really rely on one another. This quote is one of my favorites from the reading, and sums up the chapter well. “Obviously, blogs are many different things. What appears to be clear, however, is the blogs need mainstream media, and that, today, the mainstream media also need blogs.”~ Rettberg

“Blogging Brands”

The combination of blogs and branding is one of the most interesting elements of blogging to me. For example, I enjoy a blog that we have talked about called Atlantic Pacific. With Atlantic Pacific, certain companies have sent her products to wear in her blog. She will then acknowledge that in her blog by putting “c/o” and then the brand name. For example: c/o J.Crew (because lets be real, if I was being sent clothes to feature on my blog, that is where I would want clothes from)!

Another way bloggers can make money blogging is when there blogs become visited enough and a popular enough blog, advertisers will pay to have their advertisements placed on their blogs. Thats right, now there is the chance that those annoying rollover advertisements could invade your favorite blog!

Be Heard...the Modern Way!

Blogging, blogging, blogging! I am not going to lie, when we first ventured into the world of blogging for this class I was slightly intimidated. I didn’t know how to approach a blog for this class. Was it to be purely and dominated by academics or by my voice. I feel that the most posts I have done, the more comfortable I have gotten, that I am using my voice to begin to communicate the academic side of things. 

Along the lines of blogging, we read about blogging and the the communities surrounding them. In the beginning of chapter 3, so and so says “Everyone is famous to fifteen people”. I really enjoyed and was intrigued by the point that Rettberg made about the differences between print and blogging. Blogging really allows everyone to have an outlet and an opportunity to get their word out to the world. Print also allows for that to happen, but on a different scale. Rettberg talks about how things like fanzines and newsletters can be photo-copied and sent out to people, but blogs allow for that to happen as well. Blogs also offer the added benefit that more people can see the information due to the networks and communities that link bloggers to readers and other bloggers.

One of the examples that I immediately think of is the example of a school newsletter, specifically the Furman newsletter. It always amazes me when I go home for breaks to see the Furman University newsletter. I’m always so surprised and shocked to see some of the news and stories from the University, things I had no idea about while being at Furman. If Furman had a blog (even if it accompanied the newsletter), both parents and students could enjoy the benefits of a newsletter. And chances are that other people, even prospective students and families could also benefit from the advantages of a blog. Furman also having a blog could allow for more up-to-date announcements and stories and further Furman’s recognition.

Blogging allows for many possibilities for individual, corporations, and institutions to further their recognition and get their words out to people all over the world!