Reporters Without Borders, in their attempts to promote free speech and discussion of and exchange of ideas, recently published a downloadable handbook on blogging called “Handbook for Bloggers and Cyber-Dissidents” It’s for folks who want to discuss issues but, based on the rules in their homelands, can’t discuss things openly.
Most people who cover the tech world take blogs for granted, like so many other things. As part of this job, I read blogs on all kinds of subject including search engines, software, public relations and tons of other things. It’s another media resource. Unfortunately, in many countries enlightened discussion isn’t a right or something to be taken for granted, it’s life threatening. Reporters Without Borders are trying to lower the risk a bit.
They point out on their site that bloggers are “often the only real journalists” in many countries because the mainstream media is tightly controlled and censored. The blogs provide the only alternative and most of the time they do at their own risk meaning they could be arrested or worse.
The handbook provides information and technical advice on how these bloggers can remain anonymous and to maneuver through the censorship problems by helping them to analyze their situation. The guide will also tell its readers how to get picked up by search engines and feeds and create publicity. Finally, it will cover ethics and journalistic principles and help these blogs establish credibility.
The guidebook is available as a free download. It’s a little large and you need to be able to read PDF files. In today’s world, many take being able to complain and whine for granted. We so often forget that in many countries freedom of the press or speech isn’t a right or even an option. This guide may just give it to them.
John Stith is a staff writer for Murdok covering technology and business.
