VOF week Three-( blogging a 'youthful form of media')

“VOF week three- Blogging a youthful form of media”

Coming from a low income country the greatest challenge that I face to blog is the cost. The way I understand blogging it needs constant touch with the computer and access to the internet. This in itself is a challenge since access to these facilities remains a luxury.

The second challenge that I face as far as blogging is concerned is the social value and perception that forms of social media like blogs have in my society. Blogging like other forms of social media are regarded as targeting a youthful audience therefore people still don’t regard it as a serious form of media. Blogging is a relatively new concept and it will take a while until when people in my country embrace this form of media. Because of this attitude it is quite hard for most people to visit blogs. Consequently such blogs even when they raise important social issues that are relevant, the debate they generate is low or no debate is generated at all. Therefore it almost feels like you are talking to no one.

Another challenge that I face to blog is the technical know- how on blogging. One is tempted to almost think that bloggers are technologically advanced individuals and that to blog your are required to have knowledge and computer skills. These people are also thought to be knowledgeable and up to date in current affairs.

Lastly having read a few blogs one thing that challenges me the most is the lack of censorship and self regulation. Blogging represents highly opinionated individuals who have the space to express themselves. This is a big departure from traditional journalism that I am used to as an individual. While bloggers and the public alike have a chance to comment on other peoples blogs you almost feel limited in your commenting since this is an individual’s free space.

The best way in my opinion to overcome these challenge is to strive to change the attitudes and perceptions of the people in my society. I think it will be important to show that blogging is not a youthful concept rather it is a an excellent means of expressing one self and communicating important and pertinent issues that affect an individual.

Another way is to ensure that individuals with no access to ICT are given a chance to access such devices at low cost prices. Apart from ensuring access to ICT it is also important that computer skills are imparted at all levels of education. In future it is important that as a country Malawi should strive towards ensuring that the cost of ICT is lowered even further to ensure that all people have access to computers and the internet not as a luxury but as a necessary tool of communication.