PR Studies

Sunday papers

I don't agree with the premise behind the Observer magazine cover story: that 'blogging has never been bigger'. Replace 'bigger' with 'better' and I'd have no problem with the argument.

Take my media this morning as an example. I've fallen into a Sunday routine of reviewing my class blogs (scroll to end for the links). Yes I receive RSS updates, but the working week's often too hectic for me to keep up. So just as the Sunday papers are a more leisurely and less news-driven read than the dailies, so do I like blogging (or reading blogs) on a Sunday.

Most of the class are now into their stride, though there still may be some confidence and cultural issues (blogs are discouraged in some of the countries they come from). This week students have noted international women's day (one has observed the feminisation of the PR field); they have noted the results of the Russian presidential election and the brilliant virals produced by Obama's supporters in the US; they have continued to discuss propaganda, democracy, lobbying, celebrity role models and some new media topics (eg the rise and rise of Google).

Here's what I notice: that the froth and immediacy has moved elsewhere (Twitter, Facebook status updates) leaving blogging as a considered personal publishing space. Note how many in the Observer list of 'the world's 50 most powerful blogs' are in effect media businesses (ie newspapers).

Comments

Sunday papers

I don't agree with the premise behind the Observer magazine cover story: that 'blogging has never been bigger'. Replace 'bigger' with 'better' and I'd have no problem with the argument.

Take my media this morning as an example. I've fallen into a Sunday routine of reviewing my class blogs (scroll to end for the links). Yes I receive RSS updates, but the working week's often too hectic for me to keep up. So just as the Sunday papers are a more leisurely and less news-driven read than the dailies, so do I like blogging (or reading blogs) on a Sunday.

Most of the class are now into their stride, though there still may be some confidence and cultural issues (blogs are discouraged in some of the countries they come from). This week students have noted international women's day (one has observed the feminisation of the PR field); they have noted the results of the Russian presidential election and the brilliant virals produced by Obama's supporters in the US; they have continued to discuss propaganda, democracy, lobbying, celebrity role models and some new media topics (eg the rise and rise of Google).

Here's what I notice: that the froth and immediacy has moved elsewhere (Twitter, Facebook status updates) leaving blogging as a considered personal publishing space. Note how many in the Observer list of 'the world's 50 most powerful blogs' are in effect media businesses (ie newspapers).