Blogging has brought about a new era of publishing. Anyone with with a laptop and internet access can get online and publish their thoughts, views and opinions to the world. Some will proudly stamp their name all over; some will hide behind the screen.

A recent court case over the identity of a controversial blogger in the UK has threatened that anonymity and could have implications in the future.

Give a man a pen and he’ll write for a day, give a man a blog and he’ll write for a lifetime.

Masking your identify in writing can be beneficial in writing. It’s rather exciting to know that “ladydeli70″ who works for your local branch of Asda is blogging about the true goings on of your local deli counter! Well, perhaps it is to me. If her identity was known then she wouldn’t be dishing up meaty treats much longer.

Anonymity in blogging is not always a good thing though. We encourage brands to create identities in their business, who blog externally. This creates a close connection with an otherwise “faceless” brand. We also encourage the brand to be open and honest with their customers, especially in light of any breaking news. That leaves less chance of red-faced corporate bosses when the 18 year old sandwich maker starts rubbing snot on your sub! “Yes, we sacked the idiots” is the response we want, and got, from Dominos.

The judge in the “Night Jack” case felt that the identity of the blogger was necessary to help people assess the validity of the story. But in this instance, the blogger would have not been able to continue for fear of being disciplined or fired. Resulting in a very short spell as a blogger providing the exposé on the police force.

With any story you hear, you judge its validity based on the source of the information. If you have a reason to distrust the source, you distrust the story. It’s a blessing and curse that anyone can blog. It gives voice to anyone who wants to let people know their views on something. But at the same time the good content is often drowned out by complete dross. This makes it difficult to find good content for continually having to judge the reliability of everything you read.

The future of anonymous blogging

WARNING, here be sensationalism: So it seems that the courts have decided that our identities are no long sacred in the online world of blogging! If the courts decide that the interest of the public in knowing the identity of the writer outweighs the impact of unmasking them, then you’re no longer safe behind your computer.

Run for the hills, big brother is coming

Perhaps the cynic’s view is that it’s just the establishment using their power to unmask these people. Others might argue that your days as an anonymous artist are numbered. Do we know who Banksy is yet?

Although this is just one case, it raises the issue of protecting your identity online. It’s a wonderful thing that the truth can be exposed, providing it is the truth and not slander. But if is the norm for cases like these, then we may lose one of the biggest advantages of blogging, freedom of speech.

This post was written by Jeremy Jacobs, owner of The Digital Consultant

• Read the full BBC article on the “Night Jack” case