A few days ago, the TV show “Korina Today” made a feature segment entitled “Beware of the Blog” wherein, the host and a number of guests talked about their views about the different issues relating to blogs primarily brought about by the Brian Gorell controversy.
The discussion raised a number of intriguing views about blogging. From notions like a blog can only be a reliable source of information if the blogger behind it is “respectable”, to the definition of illegitimate blogger as bloggers who hides behind anonymity, and a couple more which can be read on Noemi’s blog.
The purpose of this post is not to react to the points talked about on the show, for I believe that Noemi, Juned and Renzie had already said what I wanted to say. I am actually more concerned on why the people behind Korina Today titled their episode “Beware of the Blog”.
Why Should People Be Afraid?
The initial reaction that I had when I first heard the title was, “Huh? Why the heck should people be wary of blogs?” As a person who has been blogging for four years, and a blogger who covers and talks about the Pinoy blogging community, I have come to know a lot of things about the blogs and how it works. Nowhere along the path did I encounter anything that is enough of a reason for people to be afraid of it.
Is it because of the Brian Gorell Controversy? Are they telling people that, since Gorell has a blog, he could write about anyone who has crossed him and ruin their reputations? Or could the Malu Fernandez-OFW mobbing be the reason, where Malu was attacked verbally by people with blogs because of her not-so-well-placed “acerbic witâ€? Or is it about the Desperate Housewives’ racial slur issue, where blogs has proven to be a forced not to be reckoned with?
Beware of the Bloggers?
It is true that blogs has shown its great power in the past causing a lot of commotion and harming a number of people. But I don’t think that it is “the blog†that people should be afraid of but the blogger behind it.
Telling people to be afraid of blogs is like telling people to stay away from knives. Blogs are only a medium, just like TV and Newspapers. It is how it is used that determines if it could be dangerous or not. So based from this, it is the bloggers who are potentially dangerous. However’ I’m not saying that the title should be “Beware of the Bloggers“, either, for not all bloggers are misguided enough to be feared.
Beware of People Who Don’t Understand Blogging
I don’t think that it is fair for bloggers and blogging to be subjected to such a prejudice similar to the one conveyed by whomever thought up of the title “Beware of the Blog”. It’s been like this for a very long time. Blogs are usually described as unstable, informal, and even dangerous. If bloggers are not portrayed as hungry money makers, they are portrayed as people who does nothing but whine and bitch about everything.
Before anyone tries to talk about (or against) blogging, I suggest that they try it out, or at least try to understand it more, before speaking. Blogs are not something that can be easily conceived. For behind everything that can be seen on the surface, there are other things that are at work.
Just another one of my thoughts. Happy Blogging!
Joliber Mapiles
April 8th, 2008 at 9:18 pmBlogs are powerful nowadays.. So this type of reaction from media is something we should expect.. It could make or unmake you.. But still, it’s unfair to generalize bloggers.. You’re correct, they should experience how to be one (blogger) for them to realize its deepest sense.. In the first place they cannot teach what they don’t know, they cannot feel what they don’t experience..
Joliber Mapiles’s last blog post..I’m back with New Lay-out and Must Read Articles
jhay
April 8th, 2008 at 9:42 pmFrom what I’ve read and heard about this, I’d say that, and with all due respect to Ms Korina Sanchez, since the host, the producers and probably the writers were form the age of Old Media they have a distorted if not limited understanding of blogs, bloggers and what blogging is.
And we all know that it is human nature to be afraid or be weary of things we do not understand.
jhay’s last blog post..Naruto Chapter 396: Uchiha Madara starts to tell truth
James | PinoyMoneyTak-dot-com
April 8th, 2008 at 9:56 pmThe “fear of blogs” does stem from the fact that blogs wield enormous power. Blogs have now become so powerful that even an anonymously-written blog can stir controversies. And that, I think, is where the problem lies.
Some bloggers write just for the sake of making money or creating scandals, without upholding integrity or respect for one’s privacy. Us bloggers ought to be responsible when writing because, trite as it may be, “with great power comes great responsibility.”
The moment we disregard that, we become no better than Lolit Solis and her cohorts who spread gossips — regardless whether they are true or not — just so they can milk money from it.
James | PinoyMoneyTak-dot-com’s last blog post..Pics from Manila Ocean Park – not!
beach_lover83221
April 9th, 2008 at 4:30 amBlogging is motivated by many reasons- so they cannot simply conclude that blogs are dangerous and unreliable.
Internet plays a major part of dissemination of info and ideas. It’s not rocket science to figure out that some will abuse blogs to their own gains and sinister intents. That’s why bloggers should be responsible with blogging while critical thinking (on the part of the readers) should be exercised all the time.
Beware of the Blog? Why the Heck Should People Be Afraid of Blogs? by The Philippines According to Blogs
April 9th, 2008 at 1:36 pm[...] Read the full entry over at PinoyBlogero.com! [...]
Beware of the Blog? Why the Heck Should People Be Afraid of Blogs? : PinoyBlogoSphere.com (PBS)
April 9th, 2008 at 1:40 pm[...] Read the full entry over at PinoyBlogero.com! [...]
Jaren
April 9th, 2008 at 2:07 pmwell… blogs really are a powerful tool of mass destruction if used properly… but it would irresponsible or unethical, right?
we all know that people tends to fear what they don’t understand.
Blogs are sources of information, which may seem trash to someone but a treasure to everyone that needs it (the info).
Yes, beware of the Blogger not the Blog… kinda like hating the “player” not the “game”.
Jaren’s last blog post..Hackshield Problems on Freestyle Online
Karlo.PinoyBlogero
April 9th, 2008 at 4:19 pm@Joliber Mapiles, Yeah. Sometimes I wonder why people from the media are so hostile against bloggers.
@jhay True. They have a distorted view about blogging because they don’t even take a little effort in understanding it. They only see blogs as a threat.
@James Indeed, blogs are a powerful tool that we, as bloggers, should be cautious when using. It’s sad that some bloggers abuse the power of blogs when it can be used for something productive and good.
@beach_lover That is true! Like the internet, blogging is still a growing technology, wherein, any change is dramatic and unpredictable.
@Jaren “People tend to fear what they don’t understand” true! If only they could try to understand it and see it from a different light.
bariles
April 9th, 2008 at 6:26 pmOne thing good about this Brian Gorrel episode is that it opened the people’s consciousness on “BLOGS” and “blogging”. Whatever Korina and her ilk do or say about blogging, it just adds more to its fame or notoriety.
Happy blogging everyone! We have arrived!
bariles’s last blog post..Sarah Geronimo goes to GenSan
noemi
April 9th, 2008 at 7:43 pmjust this afternoon, I had a meeting with an IT firm for a tie-up and the lady assistant was wary when she showed me the facilities “I hope you don’t blog about me”…ngek.
noemi’s last blog post..Denial
berryblitz
April 9th, 2008 at 8:09 pmLast Monday I think, my father did tell me about a blog can cause trouble. He told me about someone getting scammed from a blog. It’s like getting scammed from your mobile phone. So should mobile phones be banned for that???
I really didn’t know the “Korina Today” topic about blogging but I guess I have to check out some blogs about this one.
I’ll be back
Just kind of busy right now…
berryblitz’s last blog post..Crime Library Online
Paul
April 10th, 2008 at 12:17 amthe only reason that I could think of is because you will loose connection to the outside world when you are blogging. At least this is true to me!
Exchange tayo ng link
http://www.wahb.biz
Paul’s last blog post..Adding your site to every social sites [Digg]
phaelun
April 10th, 2008 at 12:30 ami wonder if they made use of that title to catch people’s attention, sort of like to sensationalize the segment… well, it is kind of catchy … BEWARE of ……….
phaelun’s last blog post..Pussycat Proverbs
Jehzeel Laurente
April 10th, 2008 at 1:55 am“Before anyone tries to talk about (or against) blogging, I suggest that they try it out, or at least try to understand it more, before speaking.” – Karlo PinoyBlogero
Tama nga naman si karlo.. hehehe
try before you buy 
Jehzeel Laurente’s last blog post..Still Waiting for Full Domain Propagation
icy
April 10th, 2008 at 10:14 amI guess, ibig niyang sabihin, matakot kayo sa mga bloggers, pag ginalit niyo sila, aapaw ang mga batikos sa inyo.
shamy
April 10th, 2008 at 2:19 pmi agree to this post…as a newbie blogger…i learned so much from other people’s blog as well as they learn from mine…
blogging is way for us to voice out what we feel and what we want to say…
why do they say that beware of that blog if reading it will give you information…the truth is i haven’t read that blog and i don’t know what the blog is all about… but as an author of blog,you will feel disappointed if other people will condemned your posts ryt??
if Korina today is and informative show is same as blogs…cause blogs also inform people…
Laarni
April 10th, 2008 at 7:27 pmBut the Internet itself is the most dangerous place in this modern era already. We cannot always rely information found in the Internet unless the sites you are visiting have a reputation.
I just dislike the idea that they are focusing on blogs lang.
Laarni’s last blog post..Do Men Even Notice Chipped Nail Polish On Women?
Jim Ayson
April 10th, 2008 at 7:58 pmI guess those morons have never seen a technology blog like say, Engadget, Mashable, Silicon Alley Insider, etc or listened to a podcast by Leo Laporte. These sites break technology news faster than the wire services or even organizations like CNN or Reuters. Last I saw, those organizations were getting their news *from* the blogs.
scorilo
April 11th, 2008 at 12:14 amhey..great blog out there..lots of resources; as a newbie in the industry i sure can use all the help i can get!!
thnks man, and if you have time, check out my shiznit
http://ofulutata.blogspot.com
bye for now. good day to you.
POWER TO THE MOB !!!
scorilo’s last blog post..blog pumping through my veins
Andrew Reynolds
April 11th, 2008 at 10:48 amWell, I guess each person has his own perspective towards something. I don’t see any “danger” towards blogging, this is one way to express one’s freedom and opinions in a certain topic or whatever story a blogger wants to post. For those who don’t want to blog, then they won’t. But they should not spread negative things against blogging, because there are lots of people enjoy blogging and even earn money from it.
rodel
April 11th, 2008 at 12:34 pmall i know is that.. a lot of oppressed netizens already found justice using blogs…
.. lately, we have fitness first indecent instructor and she even admits that she found justice using her myspace blog..
and yes, they should be afraid of blog coz one well written blog can take away one’s reputation OVERNIGHT..
rodel’s last blog post..From BobParsons.com now BobParsons.Tv
Jan Alvin | Blog Tambayan
April 11th, 2008 at 3:50 pmI agree you on that kuya Karlo. They are not viewing the different sides of the issue. I recommend that we should voice out our opinion to the issue. Para maturuan sila ng leksyon!! Para silang mga bata kung mag-isip!! Naging style na toh sa mga show?? http://www.blogtambayan.blogspot.com
Jan Alvin | Blog Tambayan’s last blog post..Join the Worldwide Link Love!
Blogoloco
April 12th, 2008 at 5:05 amI have not watched that show myself but perhaps “Beware of some Blogs” would be a far more appropriate title.
Blogoloco’s last blog post..6 Filipinos held captive in a yacht
David Gonzales
April 14th, 2008 at 4:48 amNot blogs in general, but bloggers. Sometime I get afraid of myself.
David Gonzales’s last blog post..The answer to life, the universe, and everything… is blogging
Tahn
April 16th, 2008 at 7:19 pmThe fear of something is stemmed from ignorance. Many people are still not aware of how the blogging world works or they know very little. So they just see the problems that arise because of blogging and not the positive things blogging can do.
Tahn’s last blog post..On getting my NBI clearance (calling out to guy in gray…)
pinaywife
April 19th, 2008 at 6:37 pmi watched that one.. i was wondering if they used the title to tickle/sensationalize the viewers.. some media people are afraid of blogging as they see blogging as a threat.
i see blogging as a powerful tool and its revolutionizing the way information is spread, though for bloggers its a must too to be responsible about what we write.
i agree with Than and Jhay, ignorance can really fuel up fears..
pinaywife’s last blog post..BLOGGING: The Filipino Connection
suresh
September 22nd, 2008 at 3:57 pmA good article to read .
Rightly said blogging is a tool and even a freedom of expression.
Freedom shall be used by people who is having it in a positive manner and to raise the voice.
At the same time it shall not heart some one sentiments.
Happy blogging and it is a pleasure.
Marissa
September 26th, 2008 at 11:16 amI once blogged about someone who blogged me to death and posted lies on the internet to fish for people to believe in her, the thing that really ticked me off was that when she started talking about my family background, and eventhough they were half-truths, it still wasn’t fair that my family be treated like that…. it was not in retaliation, but more of “get a taste of your own medicine”
Marissas last blog post..Mabuhay!
David B Katague
November 5th, 2008 at 12:57 amEnjoy your article. My first time to visit your site. Congratulations on being listed on the top ten by Ratified.Org! Have a good day!
jomar
February 4th, 2009 at 12:51 pmi watched it also,,, it think blog have advantage and dis-advantage for any one of us,,haha,,jomarlinga.blog.spot.com try to visit it i’ll be posted my blog regarding the Marcos Mansion in Canlubang…thank you so much
Carloblogg
February 16th, 2009 at 4:00 pmYou are correct, I think there’s nothing to be afraid of Blogs.
I think the “misconception” with blogs is the main problem for the part of those who are new to blogs (or rather, “fears” blogs).
On the other hand, for us bloggers, we must opt for a more “responsible blogging” attitude; we have a very powerful means at our hands that may shape our audience either for their good or bad. Yes, blogging is a means of freedom of expression; but we must also remember, freedom is not absolute.
Nice post sir, keep it up!
awtomatik
February 24th, 2009 at 4:45 amBeware of the blog!!! marahil ito naisipan nilang ‘title’ upang makuha ang pansin ng mga tao…”in general” ano nga ba katatakutan sa blog? maliban na lamang siguro ang mga nasasagasaan o natatamaan sa mga pasaring at direktang pagpapahayag ng mga ‘bloggers’…ngunit sang-ayon nga sa wika ‘nyo:” Blogs are only a medium, just like TV and Newspapers.”
..ang kaibahan lang at kagandahan dito, sa ‘blog’ walang ‘editor’ na magdidikta sa “blogger’ kong anuman nais nitong isulat o ihayag …hindi naman lingid sa kaalaman ng ilan sa atin na ang mga ‘TV at Newspapers” ay may mga ‘vested interests’ na pino-protektahan.
Pero sa isang banda, minsan, lalong nagbibigay ito ng ‘exposure’ sa ibang tao na wala pa gaanong alam tungkol sa ‘blogging”…sa tao, madalas kapag sinabi bawal o masama…lalo itong pinag-uusapan!!!
Sa ganang akin, malaking bagay at tulong ang maidudulot ng blogging sa pagsisiwalat o pagmumulat ng mga bagong kaisipan na tila hindi naman gaaanong naituturo sa ating mga paaralan…subalit ilang ‘porsyento’ lang naman sa Pinoy ang may ‘access’ sa internet o computer o ang nagkakaroon ng hilig o ‘interes’ sa larangan ng blogging!!!
…kunsabagay, naniniwala ako…na papunta na tayo doon…
IPAGPATULOY ANG BLOGGING!!!
working pinoys
March 15th, 2009 at 2:31 pmThis is so sad because they are stereotyping everyone in this industry (blogging). There are a lot of blogs who dedicate on giving out informative insights that majority can take advantage of.
I thought this is a democratic country! I haven’t watched that show but I’m just curious, do they really know what they’re talking about? It seems like they’re commenting on a subject that they do not even have a full understanding.
working pinoyss last blog post..Choosing your own Niche
Rob Angeles
April 15th, 2009 at 4:13 amHello Karlo! This is a very interesting post. While we Pinoys have a reputation of having many bloggers, there are still may who don’t get it. I think it is those who are promoting this non-sense that are afraid of bloggers. Why? For decades, information was ruled by main stream media. They were the kings and queens of distributing information but today, a regular Pinoy has the ability to be the author, the editor and the publisher.
I think what they are afraid of is losing control of their precious pride as main stream people. Funny thing about this one is that instead of fearing thew new generation of media creators, why not empower them? Again, another form of crab mentality. What they don’t understand is that if they continue doing this, the more they will lose control.