Notes from iBlog4

By Alex Villafania INQUIRER.net NOW on its fourth year, the recently held iBlog blogging forum at the Universit y of the Philippines Diliman Law Center showcased different aspects of blogging , with several bloggers serving as speakers. Charo Nuguid, who maintains The Geekette Speaketh, gave first-time bloggers an overview of b logging, as well as resources where users can get tools that will get them into the social networking scene. Controversial Australian blogger Brian Gorrell also made his presence felt in the event thr ough a video blog that welcomed the participants. Gorrell emphasized the need f or people to speak out their minds. However, he cautioned that while blogging c an be a form of communication, bloggers will almost always receive flak from th ose who do not agree with certain missives. Nevertheless, Gorrell stressed that bloggers should continue with their craft. As blogging becomes a powerful communication tool, some have taken the concept to the next level as professional bloggers. One example is computer engineering student blogger Juan Kar lo Licudine, who shared his experience as a problogger who earns an income through blogging. The young Licudine explained that he has found a niche in problogging. When que ried about how much he earns as a problogger, he said that it could reach as hi gh as $1,000. However, he said problogging also involves risks, in particular the high risk o f failure and lack of useful work experience. "It's also unpredictable and constantly changing," he added. Here's a video I took of Licudine's mom asking him after his presentation if he still needs an allowance. Podcasting and video blogging In the afternoon session, Google country consultant for the Philippines Aileen Apolo and video blogger Coy Caballes introduced podcasts and video blogs. In fact, the two didn't present and instead recorded themselves prior to the event, using a video to explain what podcasts and vide o blogs are. Apolo also spoke a bit about video blogging as a form of citizen journalism, wh erein a video blogger can serve as a journalist by submitting their videos to a n online media site. Although quite new, Apolo and Caballes said video blogging can create new concepts not normally used in traditional broadcast media. Here's Apolo responding to a question on video blogging as a form of news repor ting, and pointing out the difference between bloggers and journalists. With he r is Caballes. Blogging and 2010 elections Veteran journalist Luz Rimban and columnist and socio-political analyst Manuel L. Quezon III had their say on what the bl ogging community can contribute to the coverage of the upcoming 2010 elections. This was the main highlight of the iBlog4 summit and at some point prepared bl oggers for what they can do. Rimban and Quezon had different approaches as to the responsibilities of the bl ogger but agreed that bloggers, with their wide social network, can play a role in ensuring clean and honest elections in 2010. Rimban narrated that media outfits had limitations in coverages and so bloggers had filled up some of the gaps. Rimban said that in the 2010 elections, blogge rs can again fill the gaps that mainstream media could not cover. Bloggers can even report about stories not normally reported in broadcast or print. "Citizen journalists can help reconnect the public with the political processes , revive interest in elections, and create a sense of community among voters," Rimban said. For his part, Quezon emphasized the need to spur on voters against corruption, saying that a blogger covering the election should be a "pain-in-the-ass." On t he other hand, he noted that the low level of acceptance by voters of bloggers' reportage of the elections could go beyond 2010 when more Filipinos get access to broadband Internet connection, especially in the provinces. "It may take until 2016 for blogging to make an impact," Quezon said. In this video, Rimban answers a question about tapping bloggers for news covera ge. With her in the video is Quezon. Meanwhile, lawyer JJ Disini talked about the legal culpability of bloggers when it comes to copyright infringement and libelous statements. He cited the examp le of blogger Gorrell, who made allegations on the wayward lifestyles of member s of high society. Here's a video of Disini talking about the copyright issues that bloggers must take into account and explaining the concept of fair use. Editor's note: Videos taken by INQUIRER.net community evangelist Alex Villa fania.