How Blogs Can Change the World
October 10, 2008—Everyone has something to say, and blogs have made it a lot easier to say it. Today anyone with Internet access can create their own online journal or blog, and tell the world how they feel about pretty much everything. From meerkats to beer vats, fair trading to fare saving, you can bet someone out there is blogging about it. True, while many blogs aren't much more than the personal rants of those with too much time on their hands, many others are insightful, thought-provoking and informative. And some of these blogstars have even created enough momentum to lead to concrete action and make a real impact.
Here are some examples of how blogs have informed and inspired people to take action.
Blogging for Better Education
Earlier this year, the World Bank launched a report titled "The Road Not Traveled - Education Reform in the Middle East and North Africa," which created a blogstorm in the Middle East, particularly in Morocco. Because the report ranked countries, it was easy for local bloggers to grasp the issues and start a debate. In less than 5 days, there were more than 60 references to the report in English, Arabic and French blogs. Bloggers from all over the region discussed the report but the Moroccans went a step further: they decided to demand change. These bloggers created an online petition demanding reform and created a Facebook group to facilitate collaboration. The popular blog aggregator Global Voices ran an article summarizing the various comments under the headline: Moroccan Bloggers Call for Education Reform.
Today it costs next-to-nothing for online groups to organize themselves and make a difference. Have you seen this happen in the world around you? How do you think blogs could make an impact in your country?
African Voices on the Web
An August 2007 article in The Independent, titled "Boom in blogs gives Africans a voice on the Web," discussed how the increased popularity of blogs in Africa helped provide a voice to people across the continent. According to writer Steve Bloomfield:
"In parts of Africa where the media is tightly controlled, blogs have emerged as an essential tool in highlighting injustices. Ethiopian bloggers have provided far more detailed news and analysis of the recent trials of more than 100 opposition leaders and activists than any mainstream media outlet …
Much of the best on-the-ground reporting from Darfur has been done by bloggers rather than journalists."
Blogs: A Way to Inform and Stay Informed
News, by its very nature, is constrained by time. So, where the news ends, blogs begin. And today most major newspapers and media houses are complementing their news with blogs, usually written by credible analysts, and receiving widespread attention. Written in a more informal language that appeals to most people, these blogs are opening intellectual discussion to everyone—many get hundreds of people sending in comments and feeding into the conversation. For example, the Economists' Forum at the Financial Times has contributions from leading thinkers in economics and policymaking. A great resource, especially with all the current talk of a financial crisis. Another great place to sound off on a range of topics is the Guardian's Comment is Free blog.
Read the Youthink! webitorial "Right To Tell" for more info on the power of blogs and citizen journalism.
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