Self-Critical?

I've always had reservations about blogging. In general, I'm a huge fan of social media, and the effect it can have on society. However, bloggers always come across as angry skeptics whose ideas would never fly in mainstream news sources. Therefore, they create a blog, an outlet for all of their opinions and concerns, and demand an audience from those who read the newspapers that would never publish these views. 

I think Maureen Dowd, a columnist in the New York Times, really captures a huge concern with blogging in her column, "Stars and Sewers." She explains that "We watch in awe as revolutions somersault through the Middle East. We see instantaneous digital communication as a weapon against oppression and, in the hands of tyrants who tap into its power, as a weapon for oppression. While the cloud spurs some people to reach for the stars, delighting in freedom of expression, it seduces others to sprawl in the gutter, abusing freedom of expression." 

Her column discusses the horrible nightmare NBC reporter Lara Logan recently experienced. While reporting in Egypt, Logan was separated from her team and was sexually assaulted by Egyptian protestors. Of course, the majority of the media came out praising Logan for her noble efforts as a reporter, and condemning the assailants for their disgusting behavior. However, there were several bloggers who reacted differently. They were extremely critical of Logan, and attacked her in her most vulnerable state. Dowd quoted several bloggers, for example: “She got what she deserved,” [a Yahoo viewer] said. “This is what happens when dumb sexy female reporters want to make it about them.” Hillbilly Nation chimed in: “Should have been Katie.”"

So my question is, is the public abusing the freedom of expression and taking it too far?