Week 9- 5 Video Blogs that do it right!
This week we take a little look at five very different approaches to video blogs.
First up Alive in Baghdad, a critical view on the lives of civilians in Iraq and how conflict has affected their day to day lives. Although the reporting is short and in the style of several interviews, it is still significantly contributing to the ‘bigger picture’, covering what the mainstream news may not allows us as viewers to absorb a variety of information, giving us a greater knowledge of the situation. Audio Interview with Brian Conley, from Alive in Baghdad
Mobuzz TV, blurs the lines between TV and video bloggs, although the reports are on topical relevant issues, the report takes a similar style to that of ET (Entertainment Tonight), covering the gossip side of politics in a far less formal approach than that of, Alive in Baghdad.
Ask a Ninja, is an example of a comedy vlog, to me personally, I didn’t find it particularly funny. However makes for a good contrast to the previous two vlogs we discussed and makes the difference between citizen journalism and video bloggers distinguishable.
Wine Library TV, again falls into the category of video bloggers, discussing things along the lines of wine and cheese will most definitely appeal to a specific audience and once again helps differentiate a citizen journalist form a video blogger.
Rocket Boom takes an opinionated approach, trying to raise awareness to things deemed important of misunderstood by the public. The vlog is interesting to watch and informative however, still remains an opinion and wouldn’t be seen as citizen journalism.
Of the five vlogs we looked at, in terms of citizen journalism, Alive in Baghdad covered a relevant topic that is important and did it in a way that can be seen as a trustworthy representation of the truth.
Despite editing being a very powerful tool in the way that manipulation that can occur, Alive in Baghdad have taken on this project of reporting the ’significant’ under-looked view of the civilians affected by events and not just the events themselves.
