Blogging as a form of expression is gaining popularity across the globe. Seen now as an alternative news source issues surrounding its management, censorship and right of reply have arisen. The following article has been pasted from a blog site where some of these issues are being explored. It is worthwhile noting that there seems some concern for Australian blogger and the fairness in the way their contributions are managed.

Are Australian bloggers getting a fair go, asks alternative news site MyRightofReply.com

(1888PressRelease) October 10, 2008 – MyRightOfReply.com launched in early 2008, is an independent news opinion website which explores all sides of stories in the media breaking in Australia and around the world. The site gives bloggers, groups and corporations a chance to exercise their legitimate Right of Reply with forums submit a story, polls and blogs.

“With the growth in popularity of blogging and an explosion of blogging type news sites we want to put the question out there of whether Australian bloggers are being appropriately supported in their blogging as their US counterparts?” says Mr. Andrew Tijs , Editor of MyRightOfReply.com.

“US bloggers are now covered against defamation claims, allegations of copyright infringement and invasion of privacy,” says Mr. Tijs “and this is being presented along with an eLearning course in media law presented by a local university. This is a great model for supporting bloggers and we would like to see a similar model prominently in place in Australia.”

“Blogging is here to stay despite the many arguments initially deriding it. At MyRightofReply we are acutely aware that bloggers contribute a lot to the fabric of journalism and debate in Australia,” says Mr. Tijs.

“Added to that blogging is good for our mental health with research carried out earlier this year from Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne showing that regular blogging makes people feel they have a better social support and friendship networks than those who did not blog,” says Mr. Tijs. “So for all these reasons we would like to see more support given to Australian bloggers.”