Blogging and Journalism.

Turn on your laptop, sign into Blogspot, choose a username and suddenly you have the very basic tools at your disposal to become a journalist. The next bit is the slightly more important part; what do you want to say? Well, that’s the thing. You can say anything. The blogging world is seemingly unlimited, with new users logging on everyday to tell the world exactly what they’re thinking, about anything and everything it seems. 

From news outlets and business corporations to at home reviewers and opinion writers, blogging has become an integral part of the online world. I’ve been blogging for just under a year now and, despite only doing so for such a short period of time, I’ve realised what an impact it’s had on shaping how rapidly journalism is changing. It’s a freeing and open ended space where news and individual thought can be represented without the need for editing, censorship or consideration as to whether or not it’s suitable for broadcast. There is no need for that all inclusive asterisk that forewarns its reader that all thoughts are those of the writer alone, because we already know that. 

Not only are blogging platforms allowing freedom of speech, businesses and brands alike are recognising the potential of having everyday people reach out to their audience. Take, for example, the fashion blogging industry. Events are held over the nation specifically for certified and well known bloggers in the fashion community, who have established themselves from the comfort of their own home, simply for the chance to be mentioned in a blog post, Twitter status or snapped for an Instagram photo. Not only that, bloggers can be considered ‘experts’ in a specific field; self confessed foodies can become reviewers and recommenders for their audience, just as beauty bloggers can promote a product sent through for tested ‘approval’ by particular brands. 

So where does this leave the ‘traditional’ journalist? Well, in not such an enviable position, it seems. The lines of what it takes it be considered legitimate are blurring as the technological age advances with the likes of social media. That being said, NPA editorial director Rick Neville claims blogs “lack the maturity, balance and moderation usually demonstrated by mainstream media,” meaning not everyone is as keen to consider bloggers in such high esteem. 

.@sambrook takes a dig at the term 'citizen journalism' - suggests anybody can be a journalist now #futurejournalism

— Abigail Edge (@abigailedge) October 22, 2014

So is #blogging considered a legitimate form of journalism now, or is it like what instagram-ing is to photography? #justasking

— Roxy (@RmystiQue78) October 21, 2014

What can be said, though, is that with such a thriving participatory community, blogging is here to stay as a benefit to both its users and audience alike.

"Some say blogging will be the end of journalism. Maybe – but for me, at least, it was also the beginning." -@jhandel http://t.co/3FY5biqRcj

— Muck Rack (@muckrack) September 17, 2014

Why Journalism?

If you’re anything like me, the definition of ‘journalism’ has become a difficult concept to discern. Not because I don’t know what it is exactly, but because it’s ever changing and ever evolving into something new every day. In its simplest terms, ‘journalism’ is the spreading and sharing of information. To me, it once meant scouring the likes of BBC News, waiting for 6 o’ clock or listening out for the radio to inform me of the day’s events. But now, not so much. 

These days, journalism is everywhere. All it takes is a smartphone and an internet connection that allows you to capture and share something of interest to the world, whatever it may be. Technological means and innovative creations such as iPhone apps make sharing information easier than ever before; Snapchat and Instagram focus solely on visual communication, whereas the likes of Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr make space for personal opinion and expression with seemingly unlimited possibility. 

Personal blogging is quickly becoming a worldwide phenomenon; platforms such as Blogspot and Wordpress are making the individual voice heard like never before. And that’s just it. A news update can be as quick as logging onto Youtube to recount the day’s events from your favourite amateur reporter, all from the comfort of their very own bedroom. Journalism is now communicative and, better yet, participatory; be it from a video reply or the addition of a simple hashtag to kick-start an online joint discussion across the globe.

It’s reasons like this that have made journalism appear so dynamic and exciting to me; you don’t have to be a certified professional to share and shout about what you love. Getting news to people no longer requires expensive gear, just a desire to be heard. It’s an industry that’s only going to grow and develop and I for one am certainly going to be part of it, iPhone at the ready.