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Blogs- an alternative media

Can blogs become an alternative media? I say yes.
Blogging has opened up a new platform for people of all ages to voice their opinions, be it radical or neutral. It provides the writer with a large audience who can be critical at many times and point out flaws of any nature in the write-up.

Writers benefit the most through blogs, especially the public blogs. In many instances, a person is forced to appreciate the articles and overlook its loopholes due to personal and professional limitations. But when it comes to blogging, it introduces one to many varied points of view. It helps all the readers to obtain a panoramic view of the situation in question. This influences perceptions and beliefs.

With the introduction of blogs, people from non-media professions have started to take active interest in the current affairs and have begun to pen down their views. Their participation does not end here. These opinions are then made open for public support and criticism through blogs. At times, blog posts become topics of debate which help in weighing the accuracy of two differing ideas.

Agreed that blogs have led to a revolution in participation of the masses in opinion formation, but how do they serve as a media device?

Media is a tool used not only to inform people about the current issues, but also to eliminate age-old prejudices and stereotypes. But it is not always possible for the print media and the broadcast media to challenge certain beliefs. When both these media fail to do so, blogs can play a vital role in confirming to this responsibility of the media.

People’s opinions are given due respect. This is proved by conducting public surveys and promoting the concept of citizen journalism. However, the scope of these is very limited. Blogs are open to one and all. Hence, it allows more public interaction.
It is now common to conduct public protests through social networking sites like facebook and twitter. But with the increase in the popularity of this new feature of blogs, it will not be far from now, when protests will originate and be ignited through blogs of common people.

We have heard of instances when the governments were forced to function against their will when popular public pressure was brought upon them. Blogs serve as a base where such pressure can be brought about and through which democracy will be applicable in its true sense.

Blogging is being taken up very seriously by Indians. Many topics which are raised through blogs compel us to give it a serious thought.

Our opinions are influenced and shaped through what we see, hear and read. If blogs succeed in giving an unbiased view of a number of issues, they will emerge as one of the dominant media of our country.

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