The Role of Blogs

 
Though I agree with Andrew Ferguson view that blogs are “self-perpetuating, parasitic news organisms” in the sense that sure, people are more inclined to read news that they agree with and that sure, blogs must rely on a greater news sources, I do not see those two characteristics as negative traits. 

Ferguson begins the video by saying, “the mainstream media in the United States failed to live up to its own ideals,” pushing people towards blogs. This “nation of bloggers” is only a popular subset of technological developments. Even those at the capitol have been using blogs to convey information and have a conversation with their voters. Capitol Hill has also created the new position of “the Internet outreach specialist,” understanding that blogs are both convenient and cheap. 

For the first issue, while the fact that people are more likely to “gravitate towards news they agree with,” the same problem existed (and exists) with news sources as well. What Ferguson perceives as a unique problem that blogs are perpetuating is in fact, an issue that existed in the pre-blogging era. As others have argued, blogs simply provide another opportunity for those who cannot afford to have their opinions heard on a major news source. With blogs, a greater number of people have the potential to have their voices heard without emptying their wallets.  

 
As for the second issue that “blogs host off of” the news, that is also true, but is not a problem. When bloggers read the news and give their response, they not only find a way for their own ideas to be placed in the open but also give other readers an opportunity to stay informed. In addition, seeing as how blogs rely on a larger source, I see that as a promise that the news agencies will not go away. As long as they are needed, if not by readers directly, but by blogs, the news agencies will still be supported. Most importantly, the rise of blogs is not mutually exclusive with the existence news sources. 
   
There are countless political web sites available and blogs are just another form for people to speak. Sure, people are most likely to read articles they agree with and blogs will continue to rely on a greater news source but neither of those are reasons to discredit blogs.

Multimedia References

Cartoon. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Sept. 2013. <https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir72V45uaqAV7gZCrVhj1pU-SVIgkImQ2xD5sZMO6dWJOhMruk3x8wG4GTN9gtsBctpV0piPwkksjo1ZPwSRaoGpKAUolkqDTa1Pd-U4rlS0iF1YKuOIJlk9JZaioIeYiJZNqb_n4g7-w/s400/blog-joke-5.jpg>. 

Cartoon. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Sept. 2013. <http://d1mpb3f4gq7nrb.cloudfront.net/img/toons/cartoon6183.png>.