It’s been an interesting past few days for me and my life as a reporter/blogger/journalist.

I haven’t always wanted to be a journalist, actually. When I was younger I wanted to be a vet until my dog was put down and I realized I would have to do the same things—so I became a pescetarian/eco-freak instead. Pescetarians don’t eat meat products, but still eat fish.

I knew I would have to develop a tough skin and be ready for whatever questions/comments/rants that would come at me. As a young blogger I never really dealt with being cyber-bullied and I don’t know if that’s because there weren’t as many kids on the internet when I was 10 as there are now, but I was lucky that I only had to face real life bullying instead of in addition to cyber-bullying.

Now, as a reporter for the Daily Iowan and as a college student trying to throw herself out into as many places in the “real world” as she can, I’ve dealt with my fair share of cyber-bullies. It’s a humbling experience to read how idiotic my writing is, because it’s fuel to the my fire of becoming a better writer.

If I’m not able to hear what my readers have to say, even the nasty things, I’m not doing myself or them justice. When a reader challenges what I’ve written, I’m helping them find their own voice and opinion and thus, engaging them in their self-discovery.

The internet has provided so many platforms, opportunities, and tools for people to become active in their societies and government. But a challenge that comes with the possibilities of the internet is, how do we find that long, invisible line and around which topics, servers, and users do we to draw it?

Wikileaks is a catalyst. And a threat. And a new possibility.
Facebook is an aid. And a crutch. And an overexposure.

Where is the line? Is there a line? Who draws it? Can anyone?