Blogs vs. Wikis

Blogs and wikis are both new media outlets that allow non-professional journalists and researchers to contribute information to any topic. Both types of websites can be updated with additional content when new information is available. Blogs consist of regular, dated posts, while Wikis are a decentralized authority for information. Blogs are an example of the communication aspect of the 5 c's of new media. One user, or a team of user, may continually publish content to build an archive of knowledge. On the other hand, Wikis are an example of the collaboration aspect of the 5 c's. It is similar to a whiteboard for brainstorming ideas, in which the edit history is tracked, but not a part of, the main content body.

In both types of media, bloggers and contributors both have a responsibility placed upon them. In the New York Times article, "Stung by the Perfect Sting," author Maureen Dowd describes a blogger that was legally obligated to give up her identity when she defamed Australian model Liskula Cohen. While new media allows contributors more freedom and a less costly avenue to express their thoughts, they still are accountable to their writing, and certain types of work must still abide by the law. In addition, in the New York Times article "Wikipedia Will Limit Changes to Articles on People," Noam Cohen states that Wikipedia will begin to impose reviews before large changes can be made to articles about living people. The site recognizes its growing influence and the power of information, and is as an entity taking responsibility for its content so as to limit false information from spreading.

Convergence is important in today's networked world because the sharing of information from multiple sources allows the more meaningful content to be filtered through and passed around. Professionals no longer retain control over what information or viewpoint is important. Convergence offers a way for new media to evolve and better uses to be found. In blogging, collaboration can be important. Bloggers can collaborate to give different viewpoints and options on the same subjects. For example, many blog collaborations exist in the beauty industry to promote different product lines and provide a wider range of content. Wikis can evolve in the way they are used as well. Wikis can be a useful tool in constructing a biography, a tribute from the whole family to a relative as a gift, or to document a revolution.

Citations:
Cohen, Noam. "Wikipedia Will Limit Changes to Articles on People." The New York Times. 24th August 2009. Web. Accessed 2nd March 2015. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/25/technology/internet/25wikipedia.html?_r=1
Dowd, Maureen. "Stung by the Perfect Sting." The New York Times. 25th August 2009. Web. Accessed 2nd March 2015. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/26/opinion/26dowd.html?_r=0