Blogs as current phenomenon and effects on community

Size and Phenomenon of Blogging

In Malaysia, blogging has become a phenomenon that results effects on different communities. Currently, the size of Malaysia’s blogosphere has increased significantly. A research conducted by MSN Live Spaces across Asia, “Blogging Asia: A Windows Live Report” has shown that blogging is a strong force in Asia. The sample size was over 25,000 and the data were analysed by a market research firm, Harris Interactive. According to Windows Live Report (2006), the statistic below shows the facts of Asia’s bloggers:

• Young people and women dominate (except India where it is overwhelmingly a male
  domain)
• 41% of bloggers spending more than three hours a week on blog.
• 55% of bloggers in Asia were found to be female and 45% male, at the same time, 64%
  of Malaysian bloggers are females compared to 46% in the US.
• 53% of bloggers choose to start their blog by sharing photo album and diary.

In addition, they claim that 56% of Asian bloggers are under 25 years old, while 35% are 25 to 34 years old, and 9% are 35 years old and above. 74% of bloggers in Malaysia are under 25. Compare this to the US, where 46% of bloggers in the US are aged 30 or over.
On the other hand, The Star Online (2006) states that most of the Malaysia’s bloggers are women as well and they primarily do it express and share their view with friends and family.

Types and Trends are prevalent in Malaysia

According to The Star Online (2006), the blog-reading habits are generally around three fields. That is, 63% of respondents said they read blogs for entertainment, whereas technology, travel and music were the three most widely and popular read blog topics across Asia and in Malaysia. Other than that, Sabahan (2007) states that, out of the top 50 most influential blogs in Malaysia, 28% of bloggers write about their personal issues; 16% of bloggers write about politics, and 16% of them write about technology. As they continue, Kennysia.com, which is the Malaysia top blogger, write about personal issues and gain 4,828 links from 2,406 blogs and also ranked 234 in Technorati Rank.

Benefits of Blogs to Malaysian Commuinities

According to The Star Online (2006), “Blogging has moved into the mainstream in Asia and Malaysia, and has become a popular way to stay in touch with family and friends,” said Grant Watts, Microsoft South-East Asia general manager for online services group. Therefore one of the benefits of blogs to Malaysian Communities is the ability for readers and authors to leave comments in an interactive format and in a meanwhile create communities.
Blogging becomes a political force
Blogging has become a mainstream for politicians as a tool for express their opinion and forming their own communities. For instance, In Malaysia, JeffOoi.com Screenshot which is one of the top 4th Malaysia’s most influential bloggers. Jeff Ooi has made use of blog to form his own communities, promote his campaign and also express his political view against other politicians. Now, he has become a member of Democratic Action Party (DAP) and also member of Malaysia’s parliament.

Example of Jeff Ooi Blog

Reference Lists:

Sabahan.com, 2007, “50 Most Influential Blogs in Malaysia” Viewed on 8th May 2008 at <http://www.sabahan.com/2007/02/06/50-most-influential-blogs-in-malaysia/>

The Star Online, 2006, “Most bloggers are women”, viewed 8 May 2008, <http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/11/30/nation/16180914&sec=nation>.