Blogging

The Convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Mr Alex Macdonald, has signalled his intention to retire at the forthcoming council elections in May. Mr Macdonald has a respectable track record as an ambassador for the isles, having served in various capacities since 1984, and as convener since 1999. Another three councillors will not seek re-election.
As an internet blogger, I was disappointed to read that in his opinion “scurrilous and cowardly” internet blogs “have no place in our community”.

The various internet blogs in our islands very much have a place in the community. Whether written under the author’s true name, or (as in the case of this blog) under a pseudonym. Everybody is entitled to voice their opinion, and particularly anonymous blogs constitute a valid conduit for expressing perhaps the more controversial of opinions. I am not too fussed If that is not to the liking of our local politicians. Some of them would find it more convenient if such opinions were not aired. In the past, that was not possible, other than writing to the Gazette under a nom-de-plume.

Expressing an opinion is one thing. Spreading malicious rumours and committing slander are different things altogether, and are phenomena that I do not approve of.