a) Blogging phenomenon

Based on Technorati.com (2008), there have been a number of studies aimed at understanding the size of the blogosphere, has exploded in popularity to the point where there are now more than 20 million blogs being tracked around the world. All studies agree, however, that blogs are a global phenomenon that has hit the mainstream. As it mentions also that the blogsphere is doubling in size every 6 months and on average, a new weblog is created every second of everyday. According to Hughes. R (2006), around 19.4 million bloggers (55%) are still posting 3 months after their blogs are created and technorati has tracks about 1.2 million new blog posts each day, about 50,000 per hour.

Moreover, the trends of blogging in Europe and Asia have a big difference ways which is better as the ways of their thinking are more creative elements whereas Asian internet users create blogs for the purpose to earn money; this however does not fully means that all internet users create blogs for money purposes but to have a personal blog as a virtual diary for everyone to see. (Technorati, 2008)

There are many advantages of blogging to the community, some people might say that by blogging you can share information and knowledge and it helps the communities to be better informed (McGovern, 2004). As for country as Malaysia, the benefits for political issues is the freedom of the expression in breaking the news in political matter in a fast track although many says that the freedom of media and speech is limited and restricted here but they cannot stop the spirit of people to post any news in blog which can create awareness to the public of current issues. (The Star, 2009).

As for social world in blogging, it can create a friendly sociable place and get more connection with other people. Especially for those who does not have any communication skills of facing in reality. The same benefit will goes to business field in blogging such as diaryofane-shopaholic.blogspot.com,where it is an online shopping in a blog style and also advertised their website in many of ways such as in social networking site and emails. Therefore, blogs has become a booming medium which the society had adapted to promote their thoughts, feelings and understandings about the world.

References List

1) Technorati, 2008, "State of Blogsphere", viewed at 15 November 2009, .

2) Technorati, 2007, "Blogging Hits Mainstream, Integral to Media to Media Ecosystem", viewed on 15 November 2009, <http://www.marketingcharts.com/interactive/blogging-hits-mainstream-integral-to-mediaecosystem- 6256/technorati-state-of-blogosphere-size-2008jpg/>.

3) McGovern. G, 2004, ‘Blogs and Blogging: the advantages and disadvantages’ viewed on 14^th November 2009, <http://www.gerrymcgovern.com/nt/2004/nt_2004_08_23_blogging.htm>.

4) The star, 2009, "Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Media & Our Attitude Towards Them", 17th July,2009 issue, viewed on 14th November 2009, <http://blog.thestar.com.my/permalink.asp?id=24920>.

5) wordpress.org, 2006, "Blogs and Freedom of Speech", 6th June 2006 issue, viewed on 16th November 2009, <http://www.worldpress.org/2373.cfm#down>.

6) Hughes. R. Jr, 2006, "Current size of the Blogosphere", Urbana.

7) Gaman 2008, "50 Most Influential Blogs in Malaysia," viewed on13th November 2009, <http://www.sabahan.com/2007/02/06/50-most-influential-blogs-in-malaysia/>.