Radio 4 Today takes a look at politics and blogging. Yesterday saw the announcement of the Orwell Prize longlists, including its new award for bloggers.
“The power of the internet to shape politics – from Obama’s campaign to online petitions – is widely recognised. But blogging has now become an intrinsic part of the political process,” it is reported on the Today programme’s site.
So, would Orwell have been a blogger? Charlie Beckett, director of Polis, says yes.
“He was a contrarian, he loved a row and he didn’t mind people having a go at him,” he says.
“George Orwell would have blogged. Fact.”
Follow this link for a discussion with director of the prize, Jean Seaton, and longlisted blogger Hopi Sen, of the ‘from the Backroom’ blog, on whether blogging ‘has become as respected as novel writing or journalism.’
‘George Orwell would have blogged. Fact’ ?? Not a fact at all. He may have done if he were alive to-day but then again he might not have.