When the mainstream media picks up on local blogger’s issues…

The Sunday Times published an article about the current disposition of the local blogosphere.  Firstly, this is an interesting time, when bloggers and not just their content but also their cyber-cultural behaviors are documented and exposed. This does not necessarily mean that bloggers are that important (yet - don’t get too excited!) but is the result of a hyped up issue – however, one that in my opinion is very necessary and important.

The good news is that by the mainstream media getting involved the blogosphere is opening up to the public even more, and there could be no better time than now for this to be happening. The “SA Blog Awards / Whiney Bastard” issue has allowed the public to get an insight into the happenings of the blogosphere and will hopefully get involved and maybe even start blogging.

This entire debate now also might start reshaping our local blogosphere, as it has allowed and stimulated people to out themselves and voice their opinion. This could clearly be seen with the 2oceansvibe post, which might have been quite aggressive, but clearly was a bottled up issue thus far. Have bloggers in the past not dared to out themselves? Have we been feeling intimidated, or worried to loose our readership or ‘blog-status’ within our ‘blog-circle?

As much as some might see all this as unnecessary, whiny, or destructive, what is happening right now is the unfolding and redefining of the local blogosphere.

The issue has now also been picked up by Global Voices Online, with a brilliant summary. So the good news is that the voices are being heard, the discussions are not being sidelined any longer, and the SA Blog Awards, as any other blogging-related events will in future be critically evaluated.

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