Is major media censoring their own health blogs?

A fundamental feature of blogs is the ability to speak one’s mind, solicit feedback and incite discussion to controversial topics.

Some major media outlets aren’t getting the message. Journalism professor Gary Schwitzer cites an example where several controversial blog entries were deleted without the composing reporter’s knowledge.

Being able to express viewpoints without fear of reprisal is a major strength of blogging. Outlets that suppress blog opinion might as well not start a blog at all.

topics: media, blogs

Comments

DR. MARY JOHNSON
“Being able to express viewpoints without fear of reprisal is a major strength of blogging. Outlets that suppress blog opinion might as well not start a blog at all.”
Welcome to my world (aka “Blogsboro” North Carolina) – where a local newspaper editor looking to increase interest and circulation, invited people to join the blogosphere and become “citizen journalists” – on the pretense of focusing attention on local stories that were not getting told.
It turned out to be more than he bargained for . . . as the newspaper’s own journalistic short-comings and biases have been splattered all over the ether.
Now all this editor wants to do is ban, ban, ban – dissatisfied bloggers and “mean-spirited” comments.
It’s a huge joke.
And look for more of it.
seattledoc
The internet has obviously provided a democratization of information and communication that is critically important. No doubt it will contniune to grow in ways that are yet hard to imagine. We’ve seen how the Obama campaign was able to build on what others had begun to do by reaching out to a community of at least ten million for financial and grass roots support. This email list will continue to act as a base of two way communication for his administration for both political action and hopefully continue to be a rich resource of information to measure the pulse of the country outside the president’s bubble maintained by his inner circle of advisors.
Re: an earlier post that physicians blogging be held to a higher standard: I feel we should. For that matter I feel we all should be more thoughtful about what we say without being inflammatory or vindictive. Vigorous discussion of all viewpoints in addition as much relevant information as possible, can only lead to better problem solving and decision making. Physicians are still held in such regard by the general public that we have to be reasonable in our comments so as not be misleading much in the same way one might present the pros and cons of a treatment plan. There are plenty of venues on the web to express opinions and share accurate information so that we may all benefit from the greater awareness and timely sharing of our confusion and understanding.

Is major media censoring their own health blogs?

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