RedBlueThoughts

I was’nt able to visit http://www.FilipinoVoices.com but I just did a couple of minutes ago and was stunned at the transformation of this worthy undertaking. It has a new look, a new design and gone are the bloglinks on the sites of the contributors. And, surprise! surprise! I just read something about a very expensive car in that site. Talk about social commentary and politics, Nick. I thought FilipinoVoices is all about news, politics and social commentary. If I want to read about hybrid cars, I can just google them and presto! I have all the info I need.

Yes, hybrid cars are probably news, but it’s old hat. Countries around the world have them. And the reason why Filipinos don’t have them is obvious–it’s an expensive automobile. I respect my fellow bloggers take on this, but, I still can’t see the connexion between a Toyota hybrid car and social commentary, politics or news?

Is FilipinoVoices now being hijacked by Public Relations specialists? The entry is obviously a PR release, complete with photos. I hate to say it, but I am saddened by this. I thought we started this project with the best intentions–write about things that would illuminate people and spur them to action!

I am very, very disappointed. Accuse me of being a purist, but the primal reason why I contribute to Filipino Voices is I believe in the cause of its existence. It’s suppose to initiate debate, suppose to spark discussion and suppose to illuminate people.

To tell you frankly, my thinking about bloggers is simple–they are supposed to be the New Citizen Journalists. Being the New Influencers, we’re supposed to be different from other media. As a blogger, I take this task to be a serious social responsibility. The Internet is not supposed to be the new ground for PR specialists. I, myself, am a StratComm practitioner yet I don’t write about my clients nor do I espouse what they believe and force it to people.

If the New Media right now is being influenced by PR men or being used by PR men to promote their products, services or clients, then, what’s so new about us? Are we now harping a new tune from Toyota car radio?