Comments - Latest Popular Stories, Instablogs Community by Gracieb

Jaiyant Cavale

Jaiyant Cavale — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Welcome back Grace.. I think mainstream media and the CJ complement each other these days to create opinions. Opinion making has always been the main function of media than presenting facts. These opinions originate from a person or a collection of persons. And hence opinions are always biased. Whose opinions are more credible is a question that will bug everyone.

Grace Calderon

Grace Calderon — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

That’s true, Jaiyant. But opinions will still have to be based on facts.

What’s absolutely ridiculous is when opinion pieces parade ostensibly showcasing what purport to be facts.

It’s our responsibility to guard against these propagandizing lies. We should not be taken for a spin by these spinmeisters.

For crying out loud, Instablogs is crawling with these pseudo-journalistic pieces.

The ball is in our court, the readers, to either call their bluff or simply ignore them.

Jaiyant Cavale

Jaiyant Cavale — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Grace, this site and any other for that matter, is filled with people who seek attention more than present facts and opinions that are credible. Opinions are always welcome, but not when they become propaganda or worse, incitement. The problem with bloggers is they assume they are equal to mainstream journalists who are there on the field and would, in my opinion have a first hand experience.

But the hegemony of mainstream journalism may find its nemesis in genuine bloggers who really try and make a change by presenting facts that are not coloured by media houses preferences for political parties, businessmen, hooligans and of course the radical darlings.

Grace Calderon

Grace Calderon — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Now, that is the jewel of online journalism. Citizen journalism that is at its most factual is even better than MSM (that is beholden to media corporations).

On the other hand, blogging that wants to sell something to some people is a cowardly act hiding behind the ever-so-convenient cloak of online anonymity.

These bloggers give CJ a bad name.

Opinion is ok with any form of media. But writers of opinion should get their facts straight. Otherwise, what they do is totally laughable.

Grace Calderon

Grace Calderon — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Do you see me on the warpath again? LOL

Celso Camargo

Celso Camargo — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

I have to be honest here. There are only a small group here that I can really trust. Many many many many are involved in some sort of propaganda and that irritates me.

Even I am! I’m not impartial, hell no! I have my own opinions about a lot of things, but to write them it’s necessary to research, to analyse , etc.

But I try to be not so obvious, things are not so fun when we are crystal clear.

Jaiyant Cavale

Jaiyant Cavale — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

hey.. I would love to see you on the war path again.. Yes, advertising through blogging and pushing a product by making it sound like a review definitely brings down the credibility of a blogger or blogging as a whole..

Jaiyant Cavale

Jaiyant Cavale — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

I may be one of the most opinionated people around..

Grace Calderon

Grace Calderon — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

I beg to disagree, Jaiyant. Blogging about a product through a review is correct. That’s because the facts about the product are down pat. So, that is factual.

What’s scary is when facts are distorted to produce a slanted result, let alone that facts aren’t even there or conveniently omitted.

Grace Calderon

Grace Calderon — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Celso, we can’t help but release some form of an opinion when we write an opinion piece. That’s natural and logical. But I know that you get your facts straight each time.

Celso Camargo

Celso Camargo — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Even when I wrote about the Psychopath Clowns?

Grace Calderon

Grace Calderon — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Especially when you write about psychopath clowns! Because you know them too well. LOL

Madhuri Katti

Madhuri Katti — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Grace,

Quite relevant post for IB...

I think though mainstream media has more to do with hard facts, live coverage etc there is a bias. It shows in the way hard facts are put in perspective for reader/viewer. So opinion of the channel/paper though cleverly disguised does reveal itself...

New media, that is world of CJs, gives the direct opinion of the readers/viewers. So there is much diversity. Which I think is good...it helps you see other side of coin as well...whereas one mainstream channel may repeatedly show you single side of coin...

Yes, everything should be taken with a pinch of salt...

:)LOL

Jaiyant Cavale

Jaiyant Cavale — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

I think every media has its share of pros and cons. However, when it comes to mainstream media, it is blatant lying and with the CJs, it is pseudo-journalism, so media today is not a happening thing. Media has spun a web of lies, distortions and clutter amidst all the truth at the core. Worse, the truth shifts from the core to the periphery or beyond.

Celso Camargo

Celso Camargo — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

There is no true, Jaiwolf. The only thing existent is interpretation of facts.

Grace Calderon

Grace Calderon — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

True, Madhuri, abuse happens from both sides of the fence. But MSM will be required by law or associations/unions to acknowledge errors. MSM can be held liable by the law.

CJ, on the other hand, can have a carnival of pseudo-pieces that cannot even be traced, especially if the pseudo-writers hide under the convenient cloak of online anonymity.

Grace Calderon

Grace Calderon — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Right, Jaiyant. Media is powerful and it’s a scary reality. All journalism, factual or riddled with lies, can be taken as truth.

The burden of proof lies with us readers or complainers of media content.

Jaiyant Cavale

Jaiyant Cavale — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The truth is always simple and clear. And it is easy to see, if one wants to. Like we all know the media lies when it says people in some place are all doing well thanks to some initiative. We all know too well no product does what it claims to. But everyone refuses to see the truth because it is not palatable. And sometimes there is no truth to see at all.

Grace Calderon

Grace Calderon — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The facts are the hardest to swallow.

I’ve been slammed here for writing what I write. It seems that some people want to censor and rebuke me for writing about things they don’t want written about.

To them I say, face the facts and face the music!

Truth should be told.

I’ve been very careful (anywhere I write) to get the facts straight. If those facts make some people cringe, then the only thing I can say is that I didn’t make those facts. I simply write about them.

Celso Camargo

Celso Camargo — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Hehehehe... aren’t you smart?

Celso Camargo

Celso Camargo — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

I love metalanguage!

What are facts? Trying to define this is something very relative (I know that the ”relativism” is something tiring, but it is impossible to escape it). If anyone saw, saw or felt, probably what happened can not be classified as ”fact”.

The truth is that it is impossible to keep us alert to everything that happens because we are human, unfortunately. It is part of our nature we are unable to know and understand everything that is happening. This not to mention the ability to interpret the facts, a skill much more sophisticated, because beyond the senses common.

The stages of communication (transmitter, receiver, channel of communication, code and context - from the viewpoint of Linguistics) involved in the process of producing journalistic content can suffer many changes, depending on who is responsible for the production of ”news” - journalist or CJ or God (all 300).

Particularly, I think the two sources are valid as long as the reader knows how to select the appropriate source (a nazi newspaper isn’t reliable). However, the journalism suffers from a problem, the need to meet the market, something that the blogs do not necessarily need to worry.

The freedom that the blogs have is bigger, of course, and apparently can write about what they want, but this is not true. The fact is that the Internet is only a ”dream” for those who feel immune because of the anonymity. In recent years, there were two cases of Brazilian hackers who were arrested by Brazilian Federal Police and by the FBI for having invaded a system of American government.

Finally, the responsibilities are different, because the means are different and the degree of confidence of the reader (at least in Brazil) changes completely.

Grace Calderon

Grace Calderon — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

As to the facts, we can start with getting the 5Ws and 1H right.

If we can correctly get the what, who, where, when, why, and how, then there’s a fair chance that the material is factual.

Of course, these details can be be used in narrative that can be slanted, as per writer’s intention or motive.

Unfortunately, some that pass as journalism do not even meet the factual criterion. In their rush to send out the slant, they brush aside the 5Ws and 1H.

Yes, the 5Ws and 1H can be the metalanguage of journalism.

And, yes, the degree of confidence of the reader(s) is a stark variable.

And yes, again, I do think that there might be 300 gods, hehe...

Celso Camargo

Celso Camargo — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Then we arrive at a deadlock (the deadlock), because if the freedom of expression does not allow the media is controlled (unless themselves through codes of conduct - which means little), distortions will always happen.

Demanding ethical for a journalist and require ethics of a banker is practically the same thing, but even the bankers are subject to standards of a Central Bank, not the journalists.

Grace Calderon

Grace Calderon — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Freedom of expression and freedom of the press do not really mean uncontrolled and uncontrollable freedom. That may be the misconception of some (especially if behind online anonymity).

Freedom of expression means saying what you have to say BASED ON FACTS. This freedom is curtailed if you cannot even say what should be said.

This freedom is distorted when someone takes it to mean as saying something for the heck of saying it, even if the content is not factual. Freedom is not saying what you want to say just because you want to do so.

In my previous article, I explored these shades of interpreting freedom. Loss of freedom is when one cannot do what one HAS TO DO.

Erring journalists cannot escape the laws that cover their trade, such as libel, etc. Reputable journalists and media companies recognize these parameters.

On the other hand, online anonymity can escape these ’rules of the game.’

Oscar

Oscar — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Hi Grace..I don’t even need to tall you that you have blessed us with another incredible post, but I WILL! EXCELLENTE, MUJER, SIGUE ASI!

I think the 5 w’s and 1 h, is essential to any writing, but I feel CJ also allows us a personal view in addition to the rules.. Kinda of ”5W, 1H, AND, 1 L.C.A., (1 live citizen account of the 5w’s and the h)

I think as a cj, our personal account and the ways we are affected by the issue, makes news more meaningful and outright, while media news, should be more only oriented and unbiased.

More and more people are looking to cj news for that very reason.. It is said one should believe in those searching for the truth (aren’t all cjs searching for our own truth of the matter)and doubt those who want claim to be it.

thanks for your wonderful post

Grace Calderon

Grace Calderon — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Muchas gracias, Oscar.

You are one of the CJs I admire so I believe what you say. :)

Let us search for our local truths and tell the world about them!

Oscar

Oscar — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

It’s the only true way to make a difference in this nasty world. Many people simply don’t want to hear media news because it is unbiased,very opiniated, and fact lacking. It tends to go against it’s purpose of giving notice.

Most people are open to opinions, but want the choice and want the truth, ”straight from the horses mouth”. An American journalist can’t really give a strong opinion on what is happening in Mexico while sitting in his office in New York, if he wants to add his personal views, he needs to be HERE so his views and opinions have truth behind them. The same as I could never cj and honestly opiniate factual news on other countries. My views and opinions would be based on third pary hearsay, not sufficiant to lend a true journalistic opinion.

I think media should stick with facts, it what people want. Cj’s will carry those facts onward towards global awareness.

Grace Calderon

Grace Calderon — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

You’re right, Oscar. CJ can humanize the facts better and will carry them forward.

But the CJ has to first get the facts straight.

What is ridiculous are propagandists posing as bloggers coming up with a mush of rip-offs and sew these together to come up with, well what else, but propaganda.

FACTS FIRST AND FOREMOST, I believe you!

Grace Calderon

Grace Calderon — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

A pseudo-historical rant submitted 3 days ago with the title ”Philippines: Under American Occupation” or something to that effect has maybe managed to delude the commenters on that TOTALLY HYSTERICAL piece.

Some Pakistani blogger had the laughable attempt to use the history of the Philippines, twisted the information around, and came up with a poor attempt at Muslim propaganda.

This kind of desperate attempt is precisely what gives blogging a bad name. This Pakistani blogger, obviously hiding in the cowardice of online anonymity would do better, I think, to just recount the history of his native Pakistan. He might, JUST MIGHT, get the history of his country right.

In that totally RIDICULOUS rubbish, the Pakistani blogger CONVENIENTLY missed out on the salient points of Philippine history and exchanged those with OBVIOUSLY propagandizing lines to stress that Muslims have been JUSTIFIED to kill because anyway they are defending their lot.

I’m not even sure which dubious source he had to explain the meaning of the world ”juramentado.” And, of course, he missed that salient point in his version of Philippine history under the Spanish occupation, so he added it (after I reminded him that he forgot it there) in that history under American Occupation.

In his rush to release a pro-Muslim propaganda, he missed the MOST IMPORTANT item under American Occupation that would stress his propaganda that the US oppresses Muslims.

He forgot ”The Battle of Bud Dahu.”

Tsk, tsk, tsk...

Even the Moros of Moroland will decry that stupid piece.

I suggest this to that Pakistani blogger: BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD!

(For starters, he can correct the simple spelling of simple English words.) DON’T BE HYSTERICAL. As the message of this article of mine right here says: CHECK THE FACTS.

Maynard

Maynard — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Different cultures in this world will always have conflicts. We can never reconcile everything that is rooted since the early times.

Truth can only be relative and every coin may have two sides but they have underlying circumstances.

Journalism and blogging may pertain to writing forms but the former entails more power and responsibility. Abuse happens everywhere and not only among journalists and how they deliver the news.

For as long as evil exists, expect abuses to take place. But if we are determined to know the truth, it will come out sooner or later. No secret is bound to last forever. We live in a parallel universe.

Grace Calderon

Grace Calderon — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Thanks for the comment, Maynard. You are right with all the points you raised.

John

John — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Nice writing..

That is why I am, and always will be John Lewis Mealer

Grace Calderon

Grace Calderon — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Thanks, John. I’ll always know you by that name, alright, and by your crusade.

The original pic is back on. Good.

Radhika

Radhika — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Hi Grace

I quite like this post and it has forced me to judge my own creditability. As a CJ, we may write what is close to our hearts, but as a MSJ, one may have to do the task according to the norms laid down, Off late Main Steam has gone much the tabloid way in India, where every small spec is being sensationalized.

Grace Calderon

Grace Calderon — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Thanks for dropping by, Radhika.

CJ is a perfect venue for us to tell the truth. And, I believe, in both types of media, truth is the only norm - or should be the only standard.

Ramesh Balam

Ramesh Balam — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Before I write my comment, will you and the senior instabloggers kindly let me know in which category you find me; so that I can be more objective in my comments. I did not wish to advertise myself, but felt that I must feel the pulse before I comment on this particular article as a CJ because it pertains to us as CJ. Please excuse me for it because this may not be an appropriate forum for such a question.

Grace Calderon

Grace Calderon — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

To me Ramesh, from what I’ve read from you, you are one CJ that is brimming with research and references. I’m sometimes amazed at your trove of knowledge. But I cannot verify all your references because there are a lot always. And you’ve got details! Amazing!

Thus, I learn a lot from you.

I just wish you give links in your articles themselves. That way, our cross-referencing will be much easier.

Ramesh Balam

Ramesh Balam — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Point noted.

I would try to give links in future, where ever possible. Most of the material that I use is from published books, journals, old manuscripts, newspapers, travelogue, etc. from regional languages as well - all verifiable. I do not write anything, not even a comment, unless it is availble in print.

By now, I have developed a knack to spot a fake, an untruth, a lie. When I ask a question, it comes out in open.

How truthful is me myself? I know that I can’t be absolute because that is not impossible due to lack of information available to me at that point of time. But then, people are there to point out mistakes; coloured or otherwise.

Criticism? I have faced it all and am ready to go through all of it over and over again. For others, I am not very sure. Some may brave it, some may run away.

Some use this forum for creating self importance or to score brownie points or to use it as a forum for propagating their belief. Some are bore. Some keep on repeating the same comment over and over again to increase the number of the comments on their article. Some fail to understand that there could be another view point which may not match with their views. Some have openly told me not to comment on their blogs because they can’t face my writings. Such bloggers are unavoidable.

Some may use it for slander or defamation. The aggrieved may take recourse to a Court of law.

Some may misuse the forum. Tackling them is not very difficult.

Censoring the blog will kill the spirit of blogging. Moderation should be least interfering.

Then, there are people like you. I would love to read you again and again; notwithstanding the opposition you sometimes face.

Grace Calderon

Grace Calderon — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

When I wrote this article, I knew that this will confront people to confront themselves ’in the face,’ so to speak.

Those who came to comment here are those who aren’t afraid to confront themselves.

Blogging will always require a certain zeal to pursue. Citizen journalism will take that even a mile ahead.

Many people have taken to blogging as some sort of extension of themselves. If blogging has been giving them a voice to an otherwise mute existence, then the effort would have done its part in the process of communication.

It’s easy to be anonymous online. It will just take a certain chutzpah on the part of the blogger to take his efforts a notch higher (at least) and endow his contributions with the fiercest of truths.

Our role as citizen journalists is a crucial one in a time when truth is confusing. There are simply many shades that cover truth.

It is our duty to uncover those truths and reveal it to the world. No matter what opposition we will encounter.

There will always be opposition to disclosing the facts because truth is ugly and dirty, most of the time. The opposition understandably comes from those who willingly hide through lies (either as a premeditated malicious act or simply staying put in comfort zones) or those who are (still) grossly misinformed.

We can shake the latter and rattle the former.

Oscar

Oscar — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Mr. Balam,

I know your comment was directed to Grace, sorry for the intrusion, but I’d like to thank you for you spirit, wisdom, insight, intellect, and honesty that you offer to everyone who reads a post or comment from you.

Saludos

Ramesh Balam

Ramesh Balam — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

I am obliged. Thank you. I would try to be worthy of your praise.

Vijay

Vijay — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Grace,the world is changing fast,with it we alls are also changing,and it seems that in this process we are leaving behind all values,systems and ethics.

First of all we must know the fact that we are secondary,and every act is secondary.

Do you know that when,something or some idea comes into your mind,it takes only few moments,the time period is so short that even you cant record it on your own words.Thats why the ”BRAIN”,never sleeps.

What is important in my view,is just to share your views,irrespective of language,grammer,....The thing is communicate,in whatever manner you like, the information as fast as possible.

Hope you’ll like it,I’m writting you after a long long time,regards,

pl go through my article MY MUSINGS,CRIST and Kashmir and education equation.

Grace Calderon

Grace Calderon — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Yes, Vijay, the information is of utmost importance. Thanks for your comment!

Jaiyant Cavale

Jaiyant Cavale — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

A blogger can be a person with some experience in some field or anybody that just wants to write and be heard. And this voice can thus be credible or not credible at all. Most of the times it is not credible because we only have people who seek attention and don’t do the homework they need to, before writing. However, we can find oases of truth and credible opinion in this dreary desert of blogosphere.

Grace Calderon

Grace Calderon — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

You’re right about that, Jaiyant. Citizen journalism can, in fact, be a source of first-hand and fresh information. There’s a wealth of information and knowledge that CJs can share to the world. But they first have to be credible, you’re right.

Jaiyant Cavale

Jaiyant Cavale — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

It is difficult and sometimes impossible to expect the masses to be credible. They come with their baggage and dogma. What sense we make out of all the clutter depends on our abilities. Sometimes it is scary too, for rumours spread really quickly in the blogosphere

Grace Calderon

Grace Calderon — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

That’s the sad part. The supposed bringers of correct information can sometimes be tainted, and the readers/audience really have less facility to verify the truth.

That is why MSM can be more dependable most of the time because of their infrastructure and machinery for news gathering (field reporters and researchers, as well as technological broadcast equipment).

Incognito

Incognito — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

I am one of those who blogs anonymously, simply because I happen to view the world from a moderately conservative POV and, as a working actress, we are not looked kindly upon. As long as I want to continue working, I dare not reveal my politics.

I started blogging (on my blogger account) as a way to vent. The anonymity is not by choice, although in these dangerous times, anonymity is sometimes necessary.

Any post that doesn’t link to some reputable source I take as simply opinion, take it or leave it. However, even the MSM is undependable. There have been many published stories that have eventually been debunked. And there are certain ”issues” that people can find to prove unprovable points. Take the global warming issue...there are scientists (and others) who firmly believe and can prove that global warming exists, and vice versa. 9/11... there are people who are convinced and think they can prove that 9/11 was a conspiracy. Most issues of the day are coloured by our particular perceptions.

Love your writing, by the way.