Last week saw the unveiling of a new step in the online world of vlogging, in the shape of teen magazine Oh My Vlog!
The magazine has a similar image and appeal to those of us who were teens when Smash Hits was released, yet the lack of diversity that clouded the cover of the magazine left something of a bitter taste for many social media users.
Not only that, but the fact a print magazine had been produced about the internet seemed absurd to many, particularly in light of the ongoing print v. online journalism debate that continues to put the old form of journalism out of business.
Bad Reactions
The recent reveal of the magazine by publishers Egmont has had a lot of mixed reactions. Many made their despair over the magazine clear on Twitter, taking no prisoners!
#OhMyVlog is one of the many reasons #YouTube has become an increasingly less appealing platform
— Peter Webb (@nerdommeetsboy) July 31, 2015
#OhMyVlog are you kidding me.
— Fraser Cottrell (@sourfraser) July 26, 2015
#OhMyVlog Isn’t making a magazine about Vlogging a bit of a format clash? I’d love if it’s created using a typewriter and polaroid cameras.
— Leanne Wain (@LeanneWain) July 23, 2015
The release of the magazine even sparked Real Crime to promote its own publication;
Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. That’s why #OhMyVlog launched the same week as Real Crime pic.twitter.com/UcZaJLg1hM
— Real Crime Magazine (@RealCrimeMag) July 23, 2015
Lack of Diversity
But the main point of concern was the all too blatant lack of diversity throughout the mag, as the cover presented solely white middle-class 20 somethings.
I haven’t actually purchased #OhMyVlog (Don’t plan to either) but from what I can see there is NO diversity in it at all. Am I wrong here?
— IG: Tannaface_ (@_AartiFicial) July 23, 2015
#OhMyVlog magazine is very lilly white on the cover isn’t it? AND they removed @TheBeautycrush‘s photo on the print version of the mag.=/
— Stephanie (@NerdAboutTown) July 26, 2015
I’ve just done a vomit. #ohmyvlog #vanillahumans https://t.co/w056TmUM95
— Aarti Joshi (@AartiJ) July 26, 2015
What’s the Difference Really?
This tweet by @ziaword made a point many of us might have overlooked.
I don’t really get why people are angry/nuts about #ohmyvlog magazine. There are several magazines dedicated to crochet…I ain’t mad at cha
— zia word (@ziaword) July 23, 2015
However, Samantha Henry reminded us that the audience of this magazine is a large one, with Youtube videos reaching a larger audience than Smash Hits or Top of the Pops ever did.
What are your opinions of the magazine? Is it ridiculous to have a print form of media trying to keep up with the digital form? Did the magazine overlook its lack of diversity? Leave your comments in the section below!
