Blogging gives a different identity – the online presence. But whey would someone doesn’t like to get that recognition; and blog anonymously. This is my personal exploration on the topic drawing from experience of Radio Free Nepal (RFN), Say Na Something and somewhat anonymous Zade.
When anonymous blogging in Nepal is concerned, NepalNow and Radio Free Nepal (RFN) grab attention. NepalNow began in December 2004 and with often critical views to the leaders has continued so far. Blogged by Blogdai, it has become a destination for critical political views. Analyzing through the post, it looked like the blogger resides outside Nepal but keeps a close eyes on Nepali politics.
RFN, which earned lot of fame after Feb 1, 2005 Royal Move, is now defunct with its purpose achieved. It began as the uncensored news from Nepal by a Kathmandu based journalist.
RFN was ventured as merely a way to get out of the censor thus blogging was not easy because of the security concerns. RFN published such stories at the time when even the mainstream media with all the international support feared of. Thus, its clear why it was anonymous.
Same doesn’t apply for Say Na Something (SNS) and Zade. Though through a few faceless photos – it’s understandable that Say Na Something is a female. Zade or Darshan Karki used to be anonymous but not anymore.
For SNS, anonymity provides sincerity. When Zade began blogging, she was afraid of revealing identity in the internet because she was a ‘girl’ but nevertheless for her also being anonymity gave the ‘total freedom’ in ‘expressing herself’.
But that idea has a flip side – anonymous bloggers can be sincere or totally insincere on what they write. For RFN received many emails asking about the ‘credibility of the news’ published – and for blogs that disseminate news or political views, being anonymous can have the adverse effect while for personal blogging its looks okay.
Zade is a unique case in anonymous blogging because she chose to go public after some months of blogging (unintended). And then she could tell the difference. “When you blog publicly the reason more or less is to make a presence in the WWW,†she said. “Of course, you write to express yourself even if you go public but the different in writing of a public and anonymous blogger is distinct.â€
And that distinct is: sincerity in personal matters. “Nothing personal there – maybe once in a blue moon,†she added. “Kind of went there, saw this and did this but the ‘felt this’ part is missing.†For SNS, going public is still something she hasn’t thought of.
What everyone will probably agree is that blogging anonymously gives more freedom to write. “Of course,†SNS said while Zade answered, “Undoubtedly YES.†And than the ‘mystery factor’ may also help in drawing more readers.
“Sounds funny, but it’s simple human nature,†SNS said. Zade believed she had no idea if readers had come to her blog due to that factor but agreed that she too gets interested in anonymous blogs. “People eventually get drawn to blog hoping to find who the personal is, as if it were some mystery that ought to be solved at any cost!â€, she said.
And, possibly unique to Nepal is popular anonymous blogs are seemingly being maintained by females. Why that is so? “I don’t find any special reason†(SNS). Maybe the social context of the country don’t let girls to express themselves or put their photos freely on the web. (Not convincing, then have to agree with Zade: “The reason for now will remain anonymous in itself.â€)
Blogs Mentioned in the Entry
Radio Free Nepal – freenepal.blogspot.com
Blogdai – nepalnow.blogspot.com
Say Na Something – saynasomething.wordpress.com
Zaded Xpress – zade.wordpress.com
0 responses to “Joy of Anonymous Blogging”
It gives 100% freedom when u blog anonymously,
I’m also in anonymous blogging coz whatever things I can write as anonymous blogger I can’t do That as Rajesh Rana Blogger, coz I work in an organisation where our each n’ every move on web get monitored and censored, so I can’t write anything against my BOSS, my COmpany, but I can and do write as anonymous blogger
and it’s gives me some kind of relief from my work pressure n’ frustration also its a some sort of fun coz ppl tried a lot to find my anonymous blog but till now nobody could able to track.it…… hii… system ppl(of my company) if u r reading then this it’s a challenge for u guys… common go ahead….. 🙂 …….
YEah a great Topic Ujjwal dai,
Really “I” Talking on shelf ,I also love to write as an anonymously .I think that while blogging we can write more better on anonymously than writing with public.
But i felt quite uneasy nowdays that the publishment of our photo with name on this site brings some thing to think before posting.But anyway its ok for that …If possible take out the photos from flickr and cut off just the pointing name from the group photo .Other is ok that this will help us to write more freely that nobody is watching us..
Need for anonymity is not limited to fear of prosecution or embarrassment / harrasment. As you all pointed out, it brings out initimate details without compromising privacy. I don’t blog about politics at all but tend to focus mainly on social and civic issues, trying as much as possible not to replace it with my personal diary. Amazing as it is, my friends are greatly influenced (not necessarily to do something) by my blog without knowing who the blogger is and I am certain it would not have been possible without anonymity.
On the other hand, there is a drawback. I don’t suppose I will feel comfortable to be addressed by my assumed name, esp. when it comes down to personal networking. Hey, don’t blame me if I don’t respond naturally (with reflex) when someone addresses me as “Saral” in the next BLOGAN meeting that I attend. With time..may be.
-Saral
I blog anonymous!
I blog myself!
I feel free when i blog insanity! its like me YELLING out and takin’ out all that i have inside. It feels good! in fact, it feels great!
Yes, thats the joy of anonymous blogging! Thanks for the read!
ELF
At first, thanks for the wonderful blog.
well, i am really enjoying but it’s not joyful sometimes. I cannot say I am not Falano when they discover my name, and I really don’t want that.
But each day I get dozen of emails about my anonymity, it means I am being watched and I must say that this is because of anonymity to some extent.
Anonymous blogging is fun, everybody knows. And sometimes while blogging about controversial matter, you can be safe.
But they have nuts who blog with their real name.
Vahsek’s Ramblings-You won’t remorse on reading me!!Aba pachhuto nai bhaechha bhane pani ma ke nai po garna sakchhu ra!!
By the way, Darshan should not be categorised as an anonymous blogger! Did I say anything wrong?
If yes, I too should be taken for an anonymous blogger!
Vahsek’s Ramblings-You won’t remorse on reading me!!Aba pachhuto nai bhaechha bhane pani ma ke nai po garna sakchhu ra!!
Blogging by using some nom de plume, is itself a fun for me. Very few people know you and a kind of mystery you create in readers which draws them more to you if you are able to keep consistency. and of course many more things have been said already by blogger and various commentators that it gives you more freedom to express.
http://www.talkingforum.blogspot.com/ instead of http://www.talking.wordpress.com/
Something for us as well, who want to enjoy blogging and maintain anonymity at the same time. Thanks anyways, Ujjwal Ji, for this dedicated blog post for anonymous bloggers.
Blogging anonymously gives me freedom to speak my mind, and I do not have to worry about its effects on my personal life. At least, people (friends, mostly) do not make fun out of my writings during a “jad-partyâ€, anymore.
Wonderful entry here! Thank you 🙂 It feels good to be exactly Quoted here. Such a Good break from a bad experience of being Misquoted…..
I would like to add a few more things here..
People eventually get drawn to blog hoping to find who the personal is, as if it were some mystery that ought to be solved at any cost!â€, she said.
Experience tells me that the advantage of being known after having an unknown image is that. People are satisfied with whatever little info you provide about yourself after having been anonymous for sometime. For instance in my case my name,college, studies are now known. The good thing is that this bit of info suffices all “WHO MUST THIS BE?” queries. And well the things that matter to the blogger the most, isn’t something people seek after that i.e knowing them further as readers after all are drawn to the writings not the person ( exceptions can exist though 😉 , an experienced anonymous blogger can clarify on this one if any .. 🙂
And when the name and occupation is figured out the focus is back on the writings….Its some kind of Restoration of Freedom of Expression Again. well, my experience…thoughts can differ though. And anonymity I think gives a blogger maximum freedom when not even his/her friends know the person is blogging Coz if they do then the secret slowly gives away…the blogger can’t talk of the ppl in her/his life again…it matters because personal bloggers generally talk of their life and the day to day events that matters to them… “Mero barema publicly blog garne” kind of sentiments develop. ( experience again 🙂 )
N Keshavji, Ujjwal ji le interview linu vayena bhanne gunaso ho ki kaso? 😉 Just kidding hai, don’t mind.
More than writing this entry, I am enjoying reading the comments on it.
About Bloggers Voices photos on Flickr: I thought its fine with all the bloggers who attended the meeting to be identified. But now on, I will make sure that the photos of any anonmyous bloggers from the Bloggers Voices will be treated as it should be.
For Keshuv: I tried to gather experience of Zade as somewhat anonmyous blogger.
For Saral: I myself has a different name on certificates and if you call my home with that name, the answer sometime will be ‘nobody with that name lives here’.!
Hahha its okay.
I am celebrating my anniversary of blogging this way!
Wish you all a very Happy Valentine’s Day
i guess anonymity is inherent fantasy in each one of us, something like superheroes, and their counterpart–alter ego.
but, it makes more sense blogging anonymously in our social structure/context, where
progressive thoughts are not welcomed without flying some sparks, besides we are not social reformers, we are just social commenter, and we may not have stomach to bear the wrath of idiocy of some of the readers, which are even more true for female bloggers.
as long as it’s your personal speculations and opinions, going anonymous is fine. but,
the moment you don the mantle of reporting/analysis of events upon yourself, acting like a journo or a reporter, you don’t have a privilege of blogging anonymously.
if you are disseminating info without stating any sources or corroborating facts, then it’s a plain propaganda, then someone has to be accountable for that, anonymity precludes it…sadly which is the case for most of the politically motivated blogs…
hi all known n unknown bloggers, plz send email to us to get listed ur blog in blog directory. It’s a newly intoduced blog for blog directory.
Go through comment section of our blog or email us at nepalblog@gmail.com
thanks mfor u r comments in my website http://www.pracas.com.np and glad to know about u r blog and the bloggers meet in ktm .
I’m in just a crawling in wordpress blog. I pass my free time in blogging. thanks
there’s nothing wrong in being bold and daring in providing identity in writing, so long as you are writing for the truth! be courageous enough to die for the truth!
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