Technology has changed the way that people move, live, and work. Now, technology is changing the way that people receive and react to news stories. News has become a community affair, instead of a job in the hands of the powerful news editors. Through the Internet, people can search for opinionated or unbiased news on just about every topic under the sun. Today, the powerful are not the news editors but the news bloggers. A Web log, or blog, is a space for a person to write down his or her ideas, thoughts, feelings, or even news. Many people in the U. S. have personal blogs, in which they share parts of their lives with total strangers around the world. Now, blogs are becoming increasingly important in the world of news. Reporters caught in the thick of battle can immediately post their thoughts and feelings on blogs. Amateur writers can become instant celebrities from their focus on a particular news-worthy subject.
So what are these blogs doing to news? Simply put, they are personalizing news. Blogs are making it easier and faster for readers and Internet surfers to get a behind-the-scenes look at a story. Blogs are also making it easier for people to start conversations about news events, whether that is through comments made about a particular entry or a message board attached to the blog. The Internet in general has allowed people the opportunity to really bring news into their lives. Blogs are just one more way for people to connect to a news story.
Unfortunately, blogs have their problems. If they are not attached to a well-known news Web site, like Reuters, CNN, or even your local paper, the blogs are often not fact-checked. Blogs are often more about a person's opinion about an event or a personal attachment to an event or story. They are less about the straight facts and more about the personal element of the story. People have to be very careful when reading blogs not attached to familiar news companies.
The right blog can be an enjoyable and personal way to experience news and understand what is going on in the world. From a reporter on the campaign trail to a family living in Iraq, readers can find out many different views on a wide variety of stories. Blogs are just one more way for people to personalize and identify with news they might not otherwise see or hear about. Take a few minutes to find a blog that fits your interests. You might be surprised at what you learn!
8
Which of the following statements supports the idea that blogs can add a personal touch to a news story?
A.
"Reporters caught in the thick of battle can immediately post their thoughts and feelings on blogs."
B.
"Through the Internet, people can search for opinionated or unbiased news on just about every topic under the sun."
C.
"Amateur writers can become instant celebrities from their focus on a particular news-worthy subject."
D.
"People have to be very careful when reading blogs not attached to familiar news companies."