HK Blogging and Democracy

Recently a Journalist asked me to do an interview in terms of Blogging and Democracy in the Hong Kong Context. He can’t use all of it of course. So I decided to put all the answers here.

March 28, 2005

1.  How does blogging allow a different type of political voice to enter
into the democracy debate?  Can you think of examples in your own work
where, regardless of how big the influence is, you are trying to give
new voice to old problems?

Blogging allows for a point of view to be self-published in an easy
way and has a wide and international reach with a click of a button. It
gives an undiluted and very personal view outside of corporate owned
news media and government owned news agencies. I don’t personally give
a new voice to old problems, I add to a current number of voices that
is out there on a day to day basis that tackle the new problems we face
in terms of political rights and self-determination in the Hong
Kong/China context. The landscape is constantly changing, so we watch
and comment together as it unfolds.

2.  What potential does blogging have in being a political tool, a literary tool, or a journalistic tool?

Blogging is simply an extension of the power of the Internet and
helps technically less savvy people harness that reality. What it has
done is changed the tone of journalism somewhat and made it more
informal. When the BBC is allowing their journalists to “blog,”
personal views in adjunct to their news stories, it signals a change.
It’s also admittance that the view of “objectivity,” in news is
somewhat untrue. We all have our personal feelings and beliefs that
color what we write.

3.  How does art affect politics?

They work in combination. Art affect politics in the same way
politics affect art as they both exists in the fabric of society. Art
comments on the environment around us, either in agreement or as a
means of social change. Some art may simply magnify the reality of a
situation.

But it does make an impact. The Che Guevara image so resilient
started out as a stencil on the walls on Argentina’s streets by an
anonymous artist as a call for action. It is now a symbol of freedom
and end of oppression for many. It helps to remind us that there are
causes and beliefs we all have that may not have top priority when the
complexities of life has to be dealt with.

4.  Why blog in the current political environment in Hong Kong?

Why not? It’s an important time. I have something to say. I want a
personal record that hopefully will turn into a historical record of
the Hong Kong Story. People have always kept clippings and notes for
themselves. With technology we can share with others.

5.  What effect can your digital art and your activism have on the current environment?

I hope to remind people that some of us care a lot about things that
may not feel affects the everyday, and there are reasons we should all
care as well.

The Full Article: Bloggers post hopes for change
The Standard (HK)
April 4, 2005

Glutter has been nominated for the "Freedom Blog Awards."

An award given to independent bloggers defending the rights to free speech.
If you are so inclined, please vote for me.
Reporter’s Without Borders’s Freedom Blog Awards

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