Freedom of Expression: Blogging Chapter.

Freedom of expression is a blessing for anyone who can use it in a wise and respectful manner….

My fellow Jordanian bloggers have gone to great extents to make sure that the quality of our blogging material and content are great. It’s a great way for anyone to express their opinions and views on what goes on around us, and I encourage anyone who has an opinion on what society needs, or what society wants to discuss, to do it. Fellow Jordanians, I implore everyone to express themselves.

But to my personal belief and understanding, and I am new to this, there must be a protocol or etiquette to follow. For freedom of expression is like a sword, it has the two edges (I couldn’t write this in Arabic thanks to my keyboard)… It can be a great way to get your message across to people who can relate to your opinion, but it can create problems as well.

Many a time, I have read through articles and comments, where slander and insult, have gone to become very offensive to the writer, or the commenter. The same goes to describe certain aspects of our systems as a society.
I am personally sensitive to just criticism with no aim, or just to express an opinion. Nevertheless I am very receptive to constructive criticism, where the dialogue or statement addresses a certain issue at the core, and actually suggests solutions.
I am also sensitive to pointing out the faults of others, without being able to admit our own faults.

So why are we blogging???

My personal blog raises questions at the core, when they do. Otherwise it’s just me venting out or letting my thoughts go. Some people may find it weird, others entertaining, but on either case, it’s just things that happen to be in my mind for a long enough time (meaning it’s worth discussing to me), and of course, I add my personal opinion on to that. Again we are talking about a fact, and the opinions revolving around it. Some people would agree, others wouldn’t, but my point here remains, there is no need for insult or slandering (same goes for use of explicit language). Considering I’m new, I have not had to deal with that yet, but I’ve seen it on others. But what if I raise a controversial issue one day, would I be bombarded with insults and slander for having my view??? Would that encourage me (or anyone for all that matters) to express their opinion, and address real issues that might have been neglected by society? Truth be spoken, I’ve seen issues on blogs that even a father would not discuss with his son at a home, but it was been discussed over the internet by pioneers of expression in our society. Yes. Pioneers on the freedom of expression, daily diaries, blogs, forums, etc., It uses the most sought after source of information and entertainment.

These issues are there, and I admire bloggers of Jordan for raising these issues, and they should be treated with the respect and appreciation that they deserve for that.
Because, if we as bloggers start to abuse this right, we will start blocking the trouble makers out, and that, in its pure essence, defies the concept of freedom of expression.

I invite everyone, and anyone, to go through my blog, comment, agree, disagree, and comment again. It is your God-given right. I want the feedback, but let us treat each other with the proper respect, so we can get along, and build something for our society. The reason we publish this stuff is for people to read.

Fellow bloggers, do you agree???