This study examines how socio-political blogs contribute to the development of democracy in Malaysia. It suggests that blogs perform three main functions, which help make a democracy more meaningful: blogs as fifth estate, blogs as networks, and blogs as platform for expression. First, blogs function as the fifth estate performing checks-and-balances over the government. This function is expressed by blogs' role in the dissemination of information, providing alternative perspectives that challenge the dominant frame, and setting of news agenda. The second function of blogs is that they perform as networks. This is linked to the social-networking aspect of the blogosphere both online and offline. Blogs also have the potential to act as mobilizing agents. The mobilizing capability of blogs facilitated the mass street protests, which took place in late-2007 and early-2008 in Malaysia. Thirdly, blogs function as a platform where users can express themselves. The significance of this function becomes more apparent in countries with strict media control such as Malaysia. Blogging allows users to directly publish their thoughts, unfiltered and uncensored, by circumventing conventional mechanisms of control. It is a platform that is nearly cost-free and easy-to-use. Blogs also act as a training ground for self-expression not just for the bloggers but for readers of the blogs as well. The three functions are not mutually exclusive but are merely viewed as having enough unique qualities to be differentiated from one another. Some features do overlap, for example, the mobilization of people to participate in mass rallies could not have happened without the dissemination of the news about the rallies, and readers would have very little to comment on if the information of the rallies was not posted by the bloggers after they had taken place. This study complements existing research on mass media and democratic movement.
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