There was a brief mention of blogs in this piece, and I think that aspect of Information War and media relations deserves a little more attention. The reason why, is because the main stream media or MSM is quoting and linking to blogs and ezines all the time these days. So web publishers are having an impact on the national and international dialogue. And when politicians, CEO’s, celebrities and generals blog, or refer to certain blogs, then you start to get the idea that there might be something there. Even President Obama ‘vlogs’ or uses a video blog format on Youtube to get messages out.
This article also discussed the other reality of blogs and information war–the main stream media hates it. The MSM is a business that depends upon a viewership or readership. They also do not like competition for the facts or story, and when blogs from the troops or from security contractors are able to tell the same story as the MSM, who will the public listen too? Or better yet, when those same individuals have stories or insight that is not being talked about in the MSM, then now we are really a threat. You even see the MSM starting blogs, just to compete with the Joe the Plummer bloggers out there. But really, those MSM blogs are a joke, because they are still controlled by corporate and still have to abide by the agenda of that company. Guys like me, pay for my own hosting and do it all, and I do not answer to anyone. I still have to abide by some basic truths of publishing, like getting the facts straight and staying within the law as best I can. I also have non-disclosure agreements that I must hold to, or face legal action. But since I started Feral Jundi, I have yet to be contacted by any companies telling me to cease and desist all blogging activities. I am not bound by paying salaries, or finding good editors, or managing a office, or paying for lawyers and leases and insurance for all of my employees. Blogging is just a fun platform for me to use, to connect with an industry I care about and fill the information void about us.