The inevitable political blog must begin with… The Huffington Post.
Starting with the biggest, and the supposedly most influential and popular web log means starting with ‘The Huffington Post‘. Created in 2005 by Arianna Huffington, it is seen by many (including the Guardian) as the most influential blog to be found on the internet. Why? Firstly, because of who Arianna Huffington is.
In 1986, Arianna married oil tycoon Michael Huffington (their divorce in 1996 being the main source of her substantial income) and indeed, married into his connections. A close personal friend of the Bush family, Michael’s connections were passed on to Arianna and shape the very nature of the HuffPo to this day. Rarely can a publication, and certainly a blog, boast the calibre and importance of many of the Post’s contributors. From the politcal, celebrity and all other spheres, the web site has a wide variety (of the left leaning bracket) of bloggers and writers. As well as this, the site acts as a pathway to other news stories- much like it’s politically differing rival ‘The Drudge Report’.
So what should we make of this blog then? (it is now actually a news website, retaining blogs but also with news stories and links). Is it right or in the spirit of internet journalism that such a person with such connections should drive the independent online agenda? The use of celebrities and the influential personal resources used to uncover news stories does explain the Post’s popularity, but popularity and journalistic morality rarely tread the same line. I have a feeling that the online community is the one and only place where you can realistically kick back against the right-wing publishing machine, where independent views and a non-vested interest attitude can be applied to the news. What independent perspective could possibly be expressed by a multi, multi-millionaire with her set clique of media friends and allies (albeit within a left-wing agenda)?
One must acknowledge the influence and praise that the Post has received from many quarters. Also, it’s record for breaking news and general ethos is commendable and an essential cyber counter-point to the Drudge Report. Taking all these factors into account there is somewhat of a clash in my media mangled mind- sure, I admit ‘the Post’ fits my personal view of what online blogging should be: a relief from the conservatives of the media and a respite from that strangulation of the ever-present right-wingers, but should this relief be presented in such a form?
You see, I do believe the Huffington Post to be a better than average independent news site. It’s record does speak for itself. However, I leave with one final point- in the somewhat ambiguous form of a question: Should this ‘kickback’ against the right-wing forces of the mainstream media be lead by a multi-millionaire and her clique of Hollywood chums and does this actually represent or fulfill the potential that internet news gives us? Answers on a postcard please.
