African American blogsphere; Gaining stature in the world of news.
Sunday, March 15, 2009 at 08:04PM 
“When these same media outfits are spending millions of dollars on a PR campaign
To try to convince you they're fair and balanced…” Immortal Technique, Revolutionary Vol. 2
Journalism was, at one time, perceived to be an unofficial fourth check on the government in the checks and balances mechanism, a kind of buffer to keep the other three branches honest. While I was attending university we were taught that journalist had certain rights to protect their “sources” used to gain information that could provide flesh and blood proof or the validity of their story. But, it seems the Woodward and Bernstein type investigative reporting on the government, its actions and policies have become part of the very thing it was supposed to check. Journalism in its true essence is on its death bed with a do not resuscitate order. Maybe even by force under the Bush regime, remember the Jutidh Miller case? Whatever the cause, be it by force or consent the main stream media is losing its journalistic roots.
For many years I lived without the services of a cable provider and I really lived happily without them. But, something kept nagging at me as if I were missing out on very pertinent information that others were privy to and I was not. So, after 11 and a half years I broke down, ordered and have service from one of the many cable providers in the Metro Atlanta area and I couldn’t be more disappointed in what I see passing for journalism and also, maybe, my decision to bring this bangarang into my home once again.
The stations I used to look to for good quality information all seem to be stuck in some vortex between “real” news and comic showmanship. Actually conducting fact based journalism is a thing of the past, filled with the slant (a watered down form of opinion) of the overall station’s or print medium’s philosophy. Their not so hidden bias has become the order of the day not withstanding what appears to be collusion with government agencies. Fortunately I’ve found solace in the ever burgeoning blogsphere.
Bloggers, and especially Black bloggers, are emerging as the vanguard in the world of bringing new and fresh news to the fore, along with an open outright opinion. There is no façade of “true” objectivity, but open raw news with the writer’s obvious opinion. Never the less we are seeing more raw and hidden information being revealed by Black bloggers to the extent that some people are utilizing blogs as a source of news and information equal to that of the main stream media, including this writer. Granted, I do watch the other news programs and glean the major rags, yet the blogsphere is providing information these other journalistic outlets do not or agree to not cover.
Unfortunately, blogs are most often visited and read by other bloggers and not enough of the general population. I have friends and co-workers that have told me that they cannot get into utilizing their computer and the internet as a form of “entertainment“, I suppose their meaning of entertainment includes news. This is the mindset that must change since many of the Black collective are far and away being duped by the 4th branch (as termed by Immortal Technique) in the song of the same name. The overwhelming question is; How to drive more of the Black collective to the internet and the Black blogsphere?
Reader Comments (6)
the powers that be OWN the media. those that don't realize this, are sleeping.
how can we get folks to acknowledge the truth? get them to check out the internet and blogosphere for info? i do e-mail blasts with links for blogs that would benefit the recipients. i also have business cards that i distribute to those that i think would benefit from my blog and links. one can only share the info. we cannot MAKE folks take advantage of the information.
at the end of the day, i am comfortable with the knowledge that not all will be saved. those that wish to survive and thrive will take the necessary steps to ensure this end. ignorance is NOT bliss despite popular belief.
blessings,
focusedpurpose
As far as Immortal Technique is concerned I really like what he is doing lyrically in Hip Hop and I am hoping that he can come to the realization that he can get HIS message to a wider audience if he were to stop all the cussing and racial epithets. I hope he will mature into this.
Hey Chi-Chi, Thanks for passing through. You're right, all we can do is share the info and maybe we can make more Black folk aware that we even exist and what we have to say is well worth their effort to search us out on the internet. I love what FP does, sending out email blast (something I do as well) and the handing out of business cards with our sites and links as well.
My response to this excellent topic is at the following URL -
http://blackmediamine.blogspot.com/2009/03/response-to-african-american-blogsphere.html
Peace,
Prospector