2 - AIMS AND PURPOSES

The aim of this dissertation is to determine the role of the Weblog in contemporary media structures. It should fit in with existing research into the subject, but should also provide some further information through a comparison with the existing literature on zine culture. This comparison should be a fruitful one, as the two formats have a great deal in common. The differences between the two should also be enlightening, since although zines encourage participation from their readers, there is not, as there is in blogging, the opportunity to receive instant feedback. The issue of speed of communication – that the blogger can publish immediately, whereas the zine-editor has to wait until he has enough material – will also be addressed. I will provide case studies of three influential music-based Weblogs, in order to better comprehend bloggers and their medium. The reader should feel comfortable with the concept of blogging, and the issues involved in the criticism of the topic.

The purpose of this project is to provide a new point of view to the discourse of both zines and Weblogs. Weblogs may be seen as subverting the print media – there will be an analysis of this later – this is interesting from the point of journalistic criticism, as even while the bloggers are commenting on the music, they are also (whether intentionally or not) commenting on the press. In the cases of the journalist/bloggers their actions in blogging tend to make media structures more transparent to their readers. An analysis of this will be useful to contemporary media discourse as the blogger who is also a journalist provides a different perspective on the press to the average member of the public.

This dissertation also intends to offer an analysis of specifically British Weblogging practice, since most existing criticism deals with Webloggers from the USA. This is important, because although a significant number of bloggers are American, non-US citizens should be represented within the academic discussion of blogging. If the Weblog is to be an important source for information retrieval, then research should not solely be focused on one country, particularly since blogging is a worldwide phenomenon. Of course, this is a problem that will affect this research project; it was, however, unavoidable, as it would have been much harder to interview international bloggers face-to-face.

I have chosen to look at non-news Weblogs in order to redress the balance of current commentary: most focuses on news and current affairs, despite the fact that this is not entirely representative of the Blogosphere. By looking specifically at music Weblogs, I hope to draw conclusions that relate to other non-news sites. This dissertation should, therefore, help place the Weblog in the traditional media landscape, as well as demonstrating that while frivolous subjects may initially seem irrelevant, they also have a role to play in media discourse.