Journal of Global Communication
Year : 2009, Volume : 2, Issue : 1
First page : ( 313) Last page : ( 326)
Print ISSN : 0974-0600.

The Function of Blogs in Democratic Discourse

LIM Ming Kuok

College of Communications, Pennsylvania State University, 115, Carnegie Building, University Park, PA, 16802, United States. email: mingkuok@gmail.com, phone: 1.814.876.0776

Abstract

This paper examines how socio-political blogs contribute to the development of democracy. Data in this paper are collected from field work conducted in Malaysia between June-August 2008. This paper suggests that blogs perform three main functions which help makes a democracy more meaningful. First, blogs function as the fifth estate or a check-and-balance of the government. This function deals with the dissemination of information, providing an alternative perspective to challenge the dominant frame, and the setting of news agenda. The second function considers blogs as networks. This is linked to the social-networking aspect of the blogosphere both online and offline. Blogs also have the potential to act as mobilizing agents which facilitated the mass street protests. Thirdly, blogs function as platform where users could express themselves. The significance of this function becomes more apparent in countries with strict media control such as Malaysia. Blogs also act as training ground for self-expression not just for the bloggers but for readers of the blogs as well. The three functions above are not mutually exclusive but are merely viewed as having enough unique qualities to be differentiated from one another. The three functions are best conceptualized as a Venn diagram of three interlocking spheres each influencing and being influenced by the other.

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Key words

blogging, deliberative democracy, fifth-estate, networks, platforms for expression, agenda-setters, mobilizing agents, Malaysia.

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