The writer Lawrence Money went on to note that cases as Hardy's - and a recent decision in Queensland forcing Google to release the identity of a blogger to a man he had abused online - are signs that the internet is no longer an area that can circumvent the laws of defamation. (www.smh.com.au)
Well-Being Australia chairman Mark Tronson suggests that the blogger situation is a worrying one for every person who not only have blogs, but has an internet system whereby any third party can add a comment.
Wikipedia described a blog as follows: A blog (a portmanteau of the term web log) is a personal journal published on the World Wide Web consisting of discrete entries ("posts") typically displayed in reverse chronological order so the most recent post appears first. Blogs are usually the work of a single individual, occasionally of a small group, and often are themed on a single subject. Blog can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog. Blogging has become very popular. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog)
There are web sites that assist any new blogger in the do's and don't's – one of these, 'How to Blog – Blogging tips for Beginners' and its author Darren Rowse has written a book on blogging. (www.problogger.net)
The Blog has become 'big-time'. There is an Australian top 100 Blogs published, there is a national conference on blogging, and many blogs, on subjects such as making jams that have become internet sensations.
Blogs are user friendly and can be instant
On the world stage the Blog has become the bane of politicians of all persuasions. A Blog can be added too in 'immediate time' with photographs, even from a mobile phone, such as newscasts showing street conflicts in Egypt and Syria.
The Blog, although, perhaps initially intended as a simple format of providing an on-line personal journal, it's usefulness and user-friendly mechanism has become very popular. Facebook and Twitter have also been likened to Blogs, albeit in a different format.
Christians have made use of the Blog with no less enthusiasm and its proven to be a very provident means whereby Christian leaders, missionaries and laymen (women) are able to "tell their story" and "express their views" and "bring information" - it's the indefatigable writer's delight.
Mark Tronson notes that many Christian web sites hosts numerous bloggers whereby they house chosen or selected writers who contribute to their web site. One ready example is 'Pooped Pastors' where a number of Christian leaders contribute articles in the Read section: test.poopedpastors.org
Australia's Pastor to Pastors the Reverend Dr Rowland Croucher of John Mark Ministries has the most utilised Christian web site in the southern hemisphere with numerous blogs:
Blogs are easy to establish as there are numerous sites that provide free templates from which to choose. Mark Tronson says he has utilised these over many years and finds them user-friendly with an ability to upload photographs and videos.
The Comment toggle can be switched off
There is also a toggle (a switch) in which Comments can be prohibited. Mark Tronson says that as a matter of practise for his Blog, this is switched off. No one is able to contribute any Comment. He does this as he was caught out once when he first initiated a Blog when someone entered an unsavoury abusive comment about Christian belief.
His advice to any Blogger is to activate this toggle to 'off'. He advises any blogger to avoid the 'self-engrandisement purpose' of the Comment option as it becomes counter productive. It requires constant surveillance, and the legal consequences today are "beyond the pale".
As Easter is upon us, Mark Tronson urges Christians who have blogs to turn the comments toggle to "off" so that when you have a Christian comment, it is not debased by ill-informed or abusive readers.
As evidenced above, your well intentioned Easter message may otherwise find you defaming someone "by the added comment" and not only are you then liable, but will mean your Easter message being "bullied out".
Mark Tronson says that he uses the Blog system for his weekly Sunday regular ministry news which he titles to his ministry e-network as the "E-Blast". (regularupdatesonournews.blogspot.com)
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html
