Why Filipino Politicians Don’t Blog
Most of the educative activities I am involved in target Filipino politicians belonging to what until recently was termed the liberal family. While I have no reason to complain about the feedback regarding more conventional seminars, conferences and workshops, the politicians’ interest in our blogging and podcasting trainings may be called modest at best.
All leading members of the liberal family had been invited to our recent blogging workshop, but with one exception (look at the picture to find out who that is) the big guys preferred to stay away and sent members of their staff. While this is perfectly O.K. with me, as I appreciate nothing more than working with dedicated young people, I asked myself the question why Filipino politicians don’t seem to be interested in blogging (let alone podcasting).
There are, of course, exceptions to this rule, as a short list of liberal politician bloggers reveals. However, none of those listed (let’s be honest) is very serious about the habit. In at least one case, a “blogger” has hired a ghost-writer to produce his posts; others (mis-)use their blogs for posting press releases and other formal documents. While this is absolutely legitimate, it has nothing to do with blogging in the original sense.
So, then, why aren’t Filipino politicians into blogging? I discussed this with Filipino blogger friends. As they are professionals (and basically a-political) I prefer not to mention their names. Following are some of our conclusions:
First, cyberpolitics in the Philippines remains underdeveloped. If only a very small minority of politicians cares to have a website, how should one expect them to write a regular blog? This, of course, has to do also with the lack of connectivity particularly in the provinces.
Second, Philippine political culture doesn’t favor blogging. Politicians, particularly the majority of so called traditional politicians or trapos are used to fixing problems, their thinking is short-term. Says my friend: “They are reactive, while blogging is pro-active.”
Also, Philippine politics is highly personalized, not issue-based. Blogging, on the other hand, is opinionated and demands from the writer to take positions on issues. “Many of our politicians are turncoats, and change their opinions regularly,” explains my friend. This would be documented, if they write blogs.
Finally, also in the Philippines, blogging doesn’t make strategic sense for politicians. “Our politicians are very cautious,” says my fellow-blogger. Blogging can be a risky matter, as politicians would have to take a position today which they might want to avoid, as it could be detrimental for them tomorrow.
These are some of our answers. Please help me get a more profound explanation to my query, why Filipino politicians don’t blog.
Technorati Tags: Philippines, politicians, blogging, political culture
On the whole I mostly agree, save for a few aspects that I went into in my rather long winded post at 
if they start blogging, the content of their blog will only be 10% truths.
