Who would think that being on Facebook can save you from a jail sentence!

That thought definitely did not cross 19 year old, Rodney Bradford’s mind when he posted a question to his girlfriend about his breakfast on his profile.

That timing proved to be the time when a robbery he was suspected of as being the criminal, was staged, and the investigators were able to trace the post to be from his father’s keyboard, which indicated that he was nowhere near the crime scne.

So, in a way, Facebook saved him from a jail term, and the facebook alibi  saved him!

By the same token, I wonder if someone who posted on his profile or blog that he was drink driving or using his handphone while driving or, worse, that he had committed some great crime, would be charged for his ‘online confession’?

In a move to show that it’s embracing the use of new media, there was new media tools galore at the recent People’s Action Party (PAP) Conference 2009.

A team of young PAP bloggers were on hand to capture and update posts on the fly on the PAP website as well as on Facebook and Twitter, and netizens could also send Twitter updates and comments. At the same time, partcipants at the event could sms their comments and questions, making the whole atmosphere seem very Web 2.0 – the age of participation and engagement.

According to an article by CNA, “this is the first time new media tools have been given such a prominent spot at the PAP Convention. It is part of a broader effort to update and refresh the party image, reach out to the wider public, and hopefully bring in new members”. Young PAP has a Facebook page to reach out to the young too.

I believe this could be seen as a sincere attempt by the party to use new media to engage its members as well as the larger public. This could be a response to comments made about lip service and all.

The party also screened his political video, in a move to signal that yes, political videos are acceptable. In fact, the government has announced that political videos would be allowed for the next GE.

This is one of the videos – on Unsung Heroes:

Also, in a move to also reflect the age of participation in the live event, (not just in virtual worlds) the party invited ordinary members to make speeches and reach out to their fellow member.

We look forward to seeing how new media will be used to enhance the political climate in Singapore!

Technorati’s report on the State of the Blogosphere is out!

And according to the report, Technorati states that “the growth of the blogosphere’s influence on subjects ranging from business to politics to the way information travels through communities continues to flourish. In a year when revolutions and elections were organized by blogs, bloggers are blogging more than ever, and the State of the Blogosphere is strong.”

Released over a 5-day period, the report covers the following:

Definitely a must-read for those into blogging and new media! It’s interesting that the report has a section on Twitter – a testimony to the growing popularity of Twitter. In fact, Twitter’s popularity has grown so much that Google and Microsoft have been in competition to seal deals with Twitter for their serach engines to index Tweets!

Bloggers and the law are getting into the news these days.

First, there is news that new disclosure rules may soon be implemented in Singapore. What this means is that bloggers paid to talk about certain products would need to state upfront that they have received payment or perks for blogging about those items.

According to the article Bloggers who get gifts or money may have to own up, MDA feels that “such regulations will protect consumers by enabling them to make an informed assessment about what they read”.

This rule follows upon the recent news from the United States, that from Dec1, “bloggers will have to make ‘clear and conspicuous’ disclosures if, for example, they write a restaurant review after having been treated to a feast there…The penalty for flouting this rule in blogs or postings in Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube: A fine of US$11,000 (S$15,360).”

 With blogs now going very much beyond the personal journal-style blogs found in the days of blog infancy, and taking on a more commercial spin, many companies and individuals are using blogs for marketing and advertising purposes.

Many companies have taken advantage of the more personal appeal of blogs and have approached bloggers to test review their products. While there is nothing wrong with that, things get complicated when the bloggers are paid or presented with gifts for their postings. I mean, it’ll be hard for the bloggers to be objective in their reviews when they were being paid!

Already, a beauty products company in Sinagpore has been suspected of paying a blogger to write highly positive reviews about the products. This is tantamount to fraud as what is ostensibly a personal review is actually a form of paid advertising.

Thus, by making bloggers declare their commercial associations at the start, readers would be more mindful of that when reading the posts and recommendations, and hence make more informed decisions about those products.

Still, I would like to highlight that while there are many paid bloggers out there, and with the disclosure law kicking in, we would know who they are, there are also many passionate bloggers out there who have views and are ready to express them, sans payment from companies.

According to the article Blogger disclosure regulation – who and how to implement it in Singapore?, “the thing now is to draw a clearer line between a paid post and a genuine review or post.”

The next issue makes for interesting irony. Bloggers who give their own personal opinions are getting flak and even threats of legal action for posting their views on their blogs. Recently, some food bloggers have been threatened with law suits for their reviews of certain restaurants that the owners have found to be ‘untasteful’ and ‘unsavoury’. They were asked to take down their posts. This has sparked discussion about the freedom of speech of bloggers and the concept of personal reviews.

As we navigate new areas in cyberspace, laws would need to be adapted or crafted carefully to adapt to the dynamic online public space.

What do you think? To what extent do bloggers or should bloggers have freedom of speech?

Happy to announce that one of my favourite blogs, Copyblogger, has made it to the top of the list of Top 10 blogs for writers!

Thought I’d reproduce the post here so that you can check out Copyblogger as well as the other useful blogs.

Happy reading!

We’re honored that Copyblogger has been chosen as the top blog for writers for the fourth year in a row. Thanks to Michael Stelzner for the nod, and for holding this terrific competition.

Here are all the winners with Michael’s commentary. If you’re interested in writing online, you’ll get a lot out of adding each of these to your daily reading.

 Copyblogger This site is the heavyweight champion of the world four years running (and one of the top blogs on the planet)! The brain-child of Brian Clark, his blog keeps winning because of its insightful articles.

1. Men With Pens: James Chartrand and Harry McLeod maintain the number two slot with their inspiring content and rich community discussion.
2. Write to Done: This blog nearly always delivers a home run with its excellent articles for all writers and is the product of top blogger Leo Babauta.
3. Editor Unleashed: Inspired by the former Editor-in-Chief of Writer’s Digest, Maria Schneider explores writing, social media and community on her excellent blog.
4. Freelance Writing Jobs: This site is the first stop for freelance writers seeking new work and great articles (and it remains a top winner since this contest began). Congrats Deb Ng!
5. Confident Writing: Joanna Young delivers rich and useful articles that will help you take your writing to the next level.
6. Urban Muse: Susan Johnston covers a wide range of excellent topics that all writers will enjoy.
7. WordCount: Journalist Michelle Vranizan Rafter explores the challenges freelance writers face on her excellent blog.
8. Quips & Tips for Successful Writers: A true cornucopia of ideas for writers, Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen provides endless content and freelancing tips.
9. Fuel Your Writing: This site will certainly fuel you! Michelle Krasniak Oxman and her huge team of contributors provide great content for writers.

About the Author: Sonia Simone is Senior Editor of Copyblogger and the founder of Remarkable Communication.

In my previous post on how publications like TIME are using new media to supplement their print editions, I see that many shopping centres are also turning to new media to publicise their wares and draw in customers.

Take the departmental store in Singapore, Tangs, for example. It not only has its Tangs website, you can now be its fan on Tang’s facebook, follow it on Tang’s Twitter, watch its video channel which fetaures interviews with fashionistas, and even visit its online virtual store in Second Life!

The challenge is of course to convert all that online interaction into real currency exchanges for the store!

Some people must be wondering why they should continue with their subscription to Time magazine, or any other print publication when you can get informed and connected in so many other ways!

There is an online TIME where you can get TIME on Facebook; Twitter. Not only that, TIME is also available in the form of mobile updates; RSS and widgets and online newsletters. And then there’s TIME on Youtube and podcasts!

Here’s a Youtube reporting on test-driving the new Beatles rock band!

Traditional print media is increasingly supplemented by new media. That seems the way to go, as publications embark on new media ways to connect with their ‘digital native’ audiences.

Will I soon be ending my subscription to the print version? No, I don’t think so. At least not yet.

Blogs have been used in many ways for many purposes. Blogs are used by individuals or groups for self expression and publishing; they are used by teachers and students in schools for educational purposes; they are used by corporations as part of advertising and social networking.

Many companies and institutions are increasingly turning to blogs as a way of communal sharing and community bonding – as a way of informing staff about what’s new, and what’s up in the company. In a way, the company or office blog serves as a new media way of the office grapevine!

Happenings in IIT!

For avid readers, nothing is more desirable than curling up on the sofa or on the bed with a good read in hand.

Now, with the Carte Noire Readers, that level of desirability has been taken up further a notch!  And online ‘reading’ has never been sexier!

Now, when you access the website, you can’t help but be seduced by the dark tones of the screen, like you were in a sturdy old library, with three pairs of piercing eyes staring at you.

Now, in case you are wondering what kind of site I’m talking about, the Carte Noire Readers is a new way of marketing coffee online!

In the website, we are told:

For a more seductive coffee break, watch The Carte Noire Readers read your favourite literary love scenes. Begin by choosing a Carte Noire Reader. There’s Dominic West, the cult star of the The Wire, Greg Wise of Sense and Sensibility and Dan Stevens of The Line of Beauty. Then, choose a love scene from a mix of classic, modern and emerging novels. Relax back with a rich, velvety mug of Carte Noire, and when you’re sitting comfortably, then he’ll begin.

New readings are released weekly, so give yourself your perfect coffee break every week to catch up on them.

The site then invites you to get up close to any of the readers.

And you are told how to achive the Carte Noire Moment:

Finding time for yourself is a precious luxury. So when you do, it’s worth truly indulging. Make yourself a rich mug of Carte Noire, sit back and take a moment to appreciate the luxurious, velvety flavours with deep aromas from the 100% Arabica bean blend. You can choose from Instant, Decaffeinated, Roast & Ground as well as the TASSIMO TDISC range, so whatever your style, you really can enjoy it everyday.

You can even be reminded of your weekly dose of readings by leaving your email address.

Mmmm….delish…well, I am no coffee drinker but there’s definitely something to be savoured here.

I’ve written previously about how politicians are using new media to reach out and stay connected with the public. Local politician Mr George Yeo has been one of the ‘pioneers’ amongst his politican peers to use new media. He started with his blogging and then progressed to having a Facebook page which he updates pretty regularly. So now, you can go on and poke George Yeo. He go so popular that he exceeded the 5000-friends limit and has since started a new public facebook page to accommodate the ever-increasing number of friends and suuporters.

It seems that his use of new media has helped to make him more approachable. Just the other day, a student who was facing some Visa problems for her trip to the US emailed him, and he was able to help her sort out her mess. No doubt, this will help boost his popularity even further and will no doubt prompt others to turn to him for help. Already, many supporters are sending him messages and leaving him encouraging notes on his facebook page!

It certainly looks like Mr George Yeo has found success with new media!