Blogging can change the world

Or at least two stories in this morning's papers tend to suggest that could be the case.The Independent reports that

Blogs are taking off across Africa as a new tech-savvy generation takes advantage of growing internet access. The African blogosphere was, until recently, filled by the African diaspora and westerners living in Africa. But native African voices are now being heard.

and says the report

In parts of Africa where the media is tightly controlled, blogs have emerged as an essential tool in highlighting injustices. Ethiopian bloggers have provided far more detailed news and analysis of the recent trials of more than 100 opposition leaders and activists than any mainstream media outlet. The blogs cannot be read inside Ethiopia though - any that attack the government are swiftly blocked.

The Guardian meanwhile reports from the Democrat presidential campaign where

US presidential contenders including Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are heading to Chicago for the biggest gathering of leftwing and anti-war bloggers, in a move that highlights the increasing importance of online activists in American politics. All eight Democratic contenders will be present for the second YearlyKos convention, which opens today, in contrast with last year when only Bill Richardson turned up.
The candidates will take part in a debate on Saturday and hold one-to-one meetings with the bloggers, in the hope that their campaigns can harness the online commentators' networks, enthusiasm and fundraising capabilities

According to Professor Darrell West, who specialises in politics and the mass media at Brown University,

"I think television is still important but bloggers have gained tremendous influence over the last few years and are beginning to compete with the old media. The bloggers have great importance. They can send information instantaneously. They provide a form of accountability in the political system. The bloggers helped mobilise grassroots sentiments against Bush."