Editor’s Note: We’re reposting this article with permission from Filipino blogger Juned Sunido. Catch him as he blogs at Baratillo @ Cubao.

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By Juned Sonido

WITHIN a span of two years a lot of things have changed. It would seem that the blogger has entered mainstream. First, blogging is slowly being recognized as an Internet medium: Another source of news, information and opinion available through the Web. Second, a lot of marketing, public relations and companies seem to be recognizing this thus the increase engagement with the bloggers through contests, events and product launches. Third, bloggers are often stereotyped or miscast as ranters or in it for the money.

There is nothing wrong with ranting via blogging and nothing wrong with making money from blogging. For me its not the end all, be all and sole reason why I blog. It is more complex than that and the blogs are not a thing one can conveniently pigeon-hole.

And sure enough a lot of opportunities are opening up to bloggers. A lot are now treated like media as they are invited to press launches and a greater number are tapped to spread the word about a certain product or bit of information. These are done via press launches and events.

The question comes up: should a blogger avoid going to press launches and events?

It is an option that the blogger might take. Then again the blogger might also take to attending press launches and events. There are reasons why the blogger opt to go. First, in order to get fresh information or news about something–product, service and bits of news. Second, it is always a nice to develop contacts and make friends. At its most brutal, it is a way of developing a network of sources and information. At its best, one gets to meet true and genuine friends. Third, press launches and events provide the blogger the means to sample a new product, try a new service or preview/review a gadget. All of these contribute or add things that we can post.

The food provided, the entertainment, the raffles and the freebies provided are incidental to what one sees or learns from these events. Such things are provided to encourage people to attend these events and press launches. All are devices that are used to give a receptive and hopefully effective way of introducing the news or the product to the writer or blogger.

Herein lies the problem of the blogger. What does one make of this?

Such entertainment and hospitality displayed during such activities can be overwhelming. Again it’s true that one can simply not go to such events. However, if the blogger does go to such event, what to do?

Now, I can speak only for myself in this matter. And for me this courtship ritual happening at press launches and events should not deflect the blogger from the purpose he went there and that is to get a story. One should not feel beholden or obliged to return the favor. In the end, it is the blogger who decides:

1. Whether or not to blog about it.
2. What to blog about.

If there is any person or group of persons a blogger is beholden to, that would be the readers. And this brings us to disclosure. Often times one sees disclosure policies adopted by bloggers and their blogs and this is good. It may be better though if disclosures were done every time one posted. It need not be a grandiose statement. Just a note within the post stating were you got the story or how you came by it or how were you able to test the product or service.

So will I go to events and press launches? Only if there is a story for my blog and it fits my work schedule.