As the digital medium and the internet slowly but surely
work towards phasing out conventional forms of media such as the print medium,
one can’t help but ask whether bloggers are well on their way to becoming the
new journalists. Whether independent blogs will muscle out the bigger players
in the market is a question that only time will answer, but in the meanwhile,
one can’t help but wonder, what is the potential of blogging in the near future
in a state like Goa?
The blogging community sets itself apart from mainstream
media primarily through its ability to be an independent entity. Echoing this
point of view, one of Goa’s foremost authorities on blogging, Nolan Mascarenhas
says, “Media these days has blurred lines. What was mainstream a while ago may
still reign supreme; however, many new-age media options are taking over with
the advent of social media and one of them is the blog. As they always say,
‘content is king’. It’s true. Content can make or break a place. As a blogger
one has to be a responsible entity to ensure that the power is not misused, and
a fair and right system is in play. As it is still in a nascent stage, there isn’t
much of a monetary aspect attached to it, thus keeping the views and opinions
of many independent writers ‘not paid for’ and genuine. How long that will
last, one never knows. Also there is a fundamental positive, wherein one
doesn’t have to confine to a format of thought, much like mainline media. So
that’s a plus to get extra creative.”
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Countering this point of view, however, is a media student
who would very well qualify as a member of gen-next; Ralph Rodrigues who still
leans in the direction of conventional mediums with very straightforward
reasons, says, “I believe that the reach of a conventional medium such as print
is greater than the reach of a blog. Yes, I do accept that the world is turning
digital. There is no doubt of that in my mind. However, there is a form of
guaranteed readership that comes with the age old tried and tested formats that
may still not exist with something as fluid as a blog.”
A public relations persona that deals with both ends of the
spectrum, mainstream media as well as conventional mediums, Skitter Faia is of
the belief that both concepts have a place as things currently stand. “Blogging
and micro blogging is fast gaining interest in the corporate world as a new and
effective medium of communication. The way we consume information has changed
drastically. Today, a lot of people consume information through their smart
phones. Blogs are a ready source of information from experts and enthusiasts on
a specific issue over traditional mediums of communication. This is especially
true among the urban population. However, having said that, one cannot deny the
fact that traditional mediums such as print media, television and radio are
extremely important mass communication channels and reach out to a wide
audience especially in rural areas,” she says.
And for any budding enthusiasts out there looking to venture
into the area of blogging, Nolan has two cents that he would like to share.
“Like everything new there is always an element of doubt like that of a first
date. My maverick advice would be to never take on more than you can handle.
Just pick on an interest and chart your course. It will come naturally to you.
That being said, be prepared for disappointment, criticism for your viewpoints,
and vehemently believe in yourself to stand up for it if you think the
contrary. As a blogger, one is an individual. When not associated to a big
media house or a known entity, it’s like trying to climb base camp with a
10-second window of oxygen left in your tank. It’s an exciting time to be in
the field. It’s liberating and if one likes to break the confinement laid down
by societal archetypes, it’s amazing to put one’s word out there, unabashedly,”
he concludes with his typically impish grin.
