Some weeks ago one of we newspapers editors write a' article comparing news-blogs and newspapers. Yes, I understand that he was talking mainly about news-bloggers as news-makers. Yet the article leave me a bit confused.
You know that feeling you get when somebody compliment you but they slip in a few digs, so you end up puzzled, asking youself what really is going on?
Even though, at the end of the article the editor acknowledge that news-blogs can be good, I couldn't stop thinking that I detect a bit o’ scorn for blogs and bloggers. It was the repetition of "amateurs" that pinch me. And the comparison of bloggers to "seventeenth century English pamphleteers." And a few other remarks.
The editorial leave me asking, what is the role of newspapers in a developing country...is it only to impart news? What about the other stuff, the arts, science, finances? Sure, sure, yeah yeah, this paper does write long columns about these. But the language is so weighty that ordinary folks can’t get a hold of it.
That is one of the reasons I decide to blog. To experiment with the language of the "ordinary" people, to see how far I can stretch it, to see what and what I can write about, using it. To see if I can describe the life and thoughts of we the people here, to show all sides - the good, the ugly, the in-between. And the beautiful.
I might not, as a blogger, break news in no part of the world; I might not bring about the downfall of important figures with my words. That was never my intention. I only want to do exactly what I do here. And when I stumble upon interpretations like this, about what I write, I know everything I do here is worth it.
To add honey to me cream, Michelle include me in a list of "blogs that constantly challenge their readers to use their brains as well as their eyes - to think as well as read."
Toot toot parp parp!
Go on, you bloggahs you, blow that trumpet, and give yourself a pat for being so entertaining, for sharing your stories, histories, thoughts, art, photos, gardens, home repairs, newts and quilts and romance and pubs and for bringing world-citizens a teeny-eeny bit closer in a way only we the people can.
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21 comments:
Toot toot parp parp!Yes, Guyana!Yes!
let me get in my lil say.
I see your point with newspapers clearly. If you want people to read you got to captivate things beyond the what going on in the world and who get shoot down the street news , the informative issues so to speak you have to not only write about interesting things but you have to grab them with the writing.
alot of times the newspapers dont grab you with the writing and sometimes is cause they write so much high faluting language that ya dont want to read it.
i remember back home looking forward to the articles that used the local dialects. you would pick out a turn a speech that you aint hear for donkey years or you would say well yes that is exactly the way i would say it too. newpapers dont really get that sometimes
and dem vex cause blogs free an dem think some a we tiefing dem readership too
What a great post! Never worry GG, you're on the right course!
way to go, gg! it's a great thing to be recognized for what you're trying to do (and praised for great stuff you unintentionally accomplish, too) hooray!
i think the main issue newspapers have with bloggers is that part of a journalist's training is to hold an actual person accountable for every single thing that they say (even if it's themselves in an editorial), and not to print anything that they haven't confirmed with a credible source. SOME bloggers out there (of course, not us) don't hold themselves to that kind of standard, yet the public doesn't know any better to tell the difference. i think they see it in the same way a doctor might look at self-diagnosis websites; sure, the information on there might be correct, but what if it's not? who's responsible? and it sort of demeans the training and experience actual MDs have if people give a website the same credibility.
that said, journalists can't be everywhere all the time, and using eye-witness accounts (or "citizen journalism" if you will) can make a story much better and useful to everybody. plus, news-aggregating blogs still rely on the work of real reporters and editors; it's just like the editorial said, rerouted "outside traditional media."
this is the way of the future; we just have to find a balance to make sure it still works.
Well done, Gigi!!
As soon as I heard that someone had added "honey to me, cream" I had to fly back from the Med...
I must catch up!
You go, Gyal!!!
Amanda in Houston, Texas
Heyyyy, welcome back, Krimo.
Amanda in Houston, Texas, helloo and welcome.
Cadiz, that's what I understand too, about the media, what he's talking about. BUT. Speaking of professionalism...if only I can find some other stuff a certain editor here has written [I ain't naming names]. I've even read the word 'stupid' being used once, to describe a particular group of people here for the way they voted in our last elections.
He just can't seem to hide his arrogance.
The snide little remarks made the article a bit too 'unbiased.'
All in all, the article made me think about the state of the media here...LOTS of room for improvement. I wish they'd think about their audience / readership.
I wonder how many of our media people here have much training in journalism. [Like the fridge repair man.] Or even some of the folks who write free lance articles.
John g, speaking of the right course, the sauce will be mailed soon. It's in a bottle. It's so hot you will faint. hehe.
Jdid, how I laugh and laugh at your last sentence, oh me gosh!
Hi Geoffrey, I wonder if journalists have ever read your blog...they certainly would NOT call you an 'amateur'.
The writer did give some props to bloggers, albeit grudgingly, but i think local media operatives are too ridiculous for him/her to be so patronising.
Your line about the weightyness of the language used in newspapers rings true. Why dont you contact the newspaper and offer to write a news column using your style of writing. Just a thought.
Only what you deserve my dear but:
'Give yourself a pat for being so entertaining, for sharing,'
There 'aint enough of me to go round:)
Hey Davem, I was enjoying your photos, I'm fascinated by old buildings, old places that are so beautifully kept. I'd love to write for the papers here but not in this style, I'd like to use easy to read, chatty English. Ahh, but the newspapers overseas are a delight to read, when family come to visit I ask them to bring papers.
Yep, Bakannal, 'grudgingly' is the word. 'Patronising' too.
Jdid, by the way, I was saying to someone the other day, it's not the topics in the papers that turn off readers, it's HOW they're written...you're right, they should be written in a captivating style.
Pat, you're one of a kind, truly.
Yesterday I was thinking, the things I've learnt, thanks to blogs. And those photos of fabulous stage settings you've posted...joy.
I think newspapers & professional journalists should be worried - very worried.
These days there are people with camera phones all over the place - they can take pictures of whatever is happening, as it happens.
And there are so many independent writers. People who are not taking money for their words. People who are not being paid to tow a line. People who do not need to kow tow to the editor, the publisher, the shareholders.
Yes all those who make money by selling their words and their pictures they should be scared.
ehhh, newspapers losing readers so fast they can't figure out what to do. Journalists running scared, everyone trying to figure out why folks should read them instead of their friends, who do all of this for free.
I find it sad on many levels. It is democracy in action, but it's also the deprofessionalization of yet another set of jobs. Leaving them folks lower down on the food chain and scrambling. And journalists have NEVER been very high on the food chain.
Are there any jobs left that will enable folks to pay back their college loans?
Too much money in too few pockets, and everyone else fighting dirty amongst themselves to keep a few shekels in their own hands.
The de-professionalization of the professions is causing as radical and wrenching a social restructuring as industrialization did.... but we don't understand it that way yet.
Hayden, I think we like to panic...fear is our first reaction to every new situation.
The way I see it is that there will always be the need, [therefore jobs] for good writers - for ads, for public relations, for movies, songs, shows, plays, documentaries, etc etc.
I think it's the novelty of the technology revolution that's grabbing everyone right now.
Though everyone will dabble in writing not everyone can do it well...talent is not given out equally to everyone no matter HOW MUCH we'd like to think so.
I believe that people will always value really, reeeeally good writing that moves them. We know, instinctively, that no matter how many of us write, not everyone can write a movie as good as, say, The Pianist, for example.
Everything finds it's own level and it's just a matter of time when people will find a way to adjust, find new ways to use the technology, to earn a living from their writing.
Caro, as I was saying to Hayden...oh, I've said it all up there.
If people can be persuaded to buy WATER of all things, and a piece of cheese that looks like Mary, they can be persuaded to buy really very good writing despite the free stuff out there.
Yes, march on bloggers. Where else can you get true public opinion. Hello, GG. Great post and Excellent blog. Peace~
I think some professionals in most fields assume they are superior to the amateur (even the very word has taken on this meaning)but this is a foolish stance. Caroline has squarely hit the nail on the head, the amateur has no master to serve but the love of what they do, they are artists not artisans, your word pictures (now sometimes with added soundtrack)are a prime and very fine example.
This is where we express ourselves, our views and thoughts to the world without an editor censoring or refusing to publish our thoughts due to personal bias or social politics! I think they are filled with envy when they criticize!
You're right G-G, bloggers have much to offer and share with one another.
If we didn't find a blog interesting for whatever reason we wouldn't keep reading it.
Your blog is quite addictive (in the best possible way) and i'm certainly going to keep coming back to read more.
you're right, gg. the bad apples make all the journos look bad. especially in that industry, where if you don't have your credibility, you don't have anything.
Great post GiGi
Raising a toast to you... and all the other remarkable bloggers out there!
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