Joy of Anonymous Blogging

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.”

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!”, 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.”)

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