blogs contribute to a participatory democracy

In discussion of whether or not blogs contribute to a more particpatory democracy, some will argue that "The media is owned by the right wing and is being used to control and manipulate the masses" (Fick, 3). It has also been argued that there are no youth around to read the blogs in order to sway their opinions and determine their voting status. I will have to agree with this because I do not know of many people my age that go to a blogging website to read opinions and views about politics for fun. However, it has been said that "political bloggers can mobilize and unite large groups" (Kline, Burnstein, 14). My own view is that blogging can and will be helpful to reach out to new people and share political opinions with the world. However, I feel as though it could be hard to reach and make everyone aware of these political blogs in order to gain a more participatory democracy. It has been said that political bloggers have opened up new opportunities to get a more particpatory country and help to shape the political future for the better and so long as it can be done the right way, I feel as though it is a definite possibility.