Political blogs in Portugal: has the device created new actors?

Abstract

During a short span of time, weblogs (or blogs) have moved from a simple computer application, to an important communication device. In teaching, literature, science and politics the use of blogs has increased rapidly due to two simultaneous characteristics: low cost and easy use. Blogs establish privileged relationships with others that deal with the same themes, creating small webs of interests. One of the more interesting communities is the one related to current politics, which is largely produced by people unknown to the traditional media. This paper aims to understand if the blogsphere is creating new social players and what are the motives that lead to the creationof a political blog.