Get the facts because this concerns us all as media producers, entrepeneurs, and citizens!

Moyers on America: The Net at Risk
Wednesday, October 18 at 9:00PM on WGBH 2

"The future of the Internet is up for grabs. Big corporations are lobbying Washington to turn the gateway to the Web into a toll road. Yet the public knows little about what's happening behind closed doors where the future of democracy's newest forum is being decided. If a few mega media giants own the content and control the delivery of radio, television, telephone services and the Internet, they'll make a killing and citizens will pay for it. America's ability to compete in the global marketplace, the unfettered exchange of ideas online, and broadband services that could improve quality of life for millions are at stake. Some say the very future of democracy itself may hang in the balance. In "The Net at Risk," Bill Moyers and journalist Rick Karr report on the wannabe "lords of the Internet" and examine how promises by the big tel-co companies of a super-high speed Internet in return for deregulation and tax breaks have gone unfulfilled while the public has paid the price. After the documentary, Moyers leads a discussion on media reform to explore the real-world impact of deregulation on communities and citizen participation in democracy."

Watch it!

[An] important reason to read weblogs is the state of the media today – corporate behemoths own the major outlets of our news and opinion and entertainment. The nanopublishing revolution of weblogging allows individuals an inexpensive and simple way to reach millions of readers. --- Anton Zuiker, Blogging 101

I thought it would be appropriate to begin this semester's blogging experience with a diary on blogging itself, since it is new to many of you.

Blogging is still in its infancy, but if you notice I've categorized this "diary" under Democracy and Media. The reason being that blogging allows someone like me to write about issues and interests I hold dear and share it with a global audience. It is truly a democratic means of expression.

It also facilitates a sense of community by enabling comments from others to share their thoughts on those issues and interests, whether they agree with them or not. It provides a means for dialogue and complex viewpoints on a range of discussions. It is the one area that mainstream media cannot capture in a bottle and just repackage. The blog must have integrity whereby the subjects discussed have a focused relevance for readers and writers of the blog. What gives a blog its integrity is the sincerity of the author(s) and the comments their diaries generate. And, this can all be accomplished without owning a television or radio station, newspaper, or film studio.

It is a form of communication where artists and media producers, such as yourselves, are using blogs to create journals or portfolios of work, to critique the current state of media, and to communicate with others who have similar interests.

Zuiker has a great site that gives an in depth overview to the history and nature of blogging.

Blogs: A Short History
Blogs: An Anatomy
Blogs: Why Read, Why Write?
Blogs: Create One

The site also lists some great examples of the most popular types of blogs as well as an interesting reading list.

To get this discussion going, my questions to you are:

1. Based on what you know of blogging, why do you think it might be important for the future?
Some examples to consider in the future development of the blog...
- as a form of communication
- as a form of media analysis
- as a form of film/video distribution
- as a form of expression
- as a business
- as a form of rebellion

2. If you follow the Save the Internet link on this page and read up on Net Neutrality and what it means to the current state of the Internet, communication, and people- or citizen-powered media, how do you think losing net neutrality will affect the role of the blog?

Discuss!