Blogging and Democracy

THE BLOGOSHPERE is where democracy is alive.

Blogging has really evolved from being simply an avenue for venting out thoughts and emotion into an alternative media. Because of its many advantages like low cost of maintainance, simplicity of content management, and wide reach, it has become a very popular tool for advocating a cause, and promoting promoting products and services, among others.

One of the best features of blogging is its ability to empower ordinary people. I have always believed in the power of words. Blogging gives one an opportunity to utilize that power to do whatever he wants to do with it. A person who has an idea in mind will just have to sit in front of a computer and in a few minutes, his idea can reach every corner of the world.

That is democracy.

When politicians hear of this, they would scramble for space ads in blogs or they would rush to create blogs promoting their candidacy.

I know of only a few politicians who blog and those I know do it not to promote themselves but their advocacies.

In the US, it’s really an IN thing. I have discovered this blog called Promote Your Vote, which contains news and information regarding the Presidential Election. Not only that, it also sells t-shirts and other products that have something to do with the parties.

There are similar efforts done in the Philippines. When the Sumilao Farmers marched for their land, bloggers helped in campaigning for support. When Malou Fernandez insulted OFWs in her article, hundreds of bloggers got back at her. These are just a few examples. We, Filipinos, who are known hardcore advocates of democracy would certainly use blogging for the noble purpose of standing up for our democracy.