We hear from a lot of policy-focused groups - think tanks, foundations, research organizations - that they are interested in how blogs might help their work. But... they will also say that they are scared of blogging for a variety of reasons, including that they are worried about getting inundated by negative comments or concerned about the time commitment required.

I'll be the first to tell such groups that blogging isn't for every organization. Blogs should *only* be a part of the communications/collaboration strategy of organizations who...
-want to raise the prominence of their ideas and their work across the web
-want to showcase, in a personal manner, the voices and views of their leading experts
-want to accelerate the speed with which the media, academics and researchers find their new work and products
-want to better promote throughout the year their marquee products, conferences and events, books, data sets, and other activities
-want to find and engage with the worldwide audience of professionals devoted to working in their sector.

If your organization does not need things(!), then avoid blogging!

As to the main concerns I often hear about relating to blogging:
-Time commitment? Yup. Writing a blog will take some time. As will other highly effective actions your organization undertakes to further you mission (book-tour, press briefings, raising money, public outreach, hosting events, etc.) That said, a blog is just a communications tool, and you can decide how you want to use it. You need not post something three times a day - rather you might benefit a lot from three posts a week (at, maybe 30-60 minutes a post?) Also - the burden of maintaining an active blog can be spread effectively across a group of like minded writers.
-Inappropriate comments on your blog? My answer here is that (a) it's an overblown issue which just does not happen much on "professional topic" blogs (let me know of any real horror stories!), (b) if it happens, you (or your faithful readers) can berate the commenters to be more constructive, (c) you can always remove the comments from your blog, and finally, (d) if/when this becomes a problem you can just turn off the comment feature on your blog. Turning off the comment feature is a loss - as you will miss out on *productive* comments and praise, but, it will stop inappropriate comments.
-Other bloggers saying bad things about you? If this is your problem - congratulations! You're visible and getting some attention. But if you cannot risk this, then yes, not having a blog (or a web site), will help keep your organization's profile low and reduce the risk that you will get attention(!)

There are some great examples today of organizations making effective use of blogs in their policy sectors, to promote their ideas and to engage in dialogue with their peers. Some of my favorites include:

Private Sector Development Blog / World Bank. This group blog covers a wide range of issues relating to the role of private markets in economic development around the world, and was the first blog launched by a part of the World Bank.

Book blogs / an increasing trend (tip from PSD blog!).
Make Poverty Business, and The Best Shots Blog on vaccines.

Global Health Policy/ Center for Global Development, dealing with "issues facing the donor community on everything from HIV/AIDS financing to pharmaceutical R&D to broader health systems concerns." (Disclaimer - client of ours.)

TIME's Global Health Update, / "(t)he latest international health news and analysis."

Real Climate / "climate science from climate scientists."

Becker-Posner Blog / 367 entries and 8789 comments and counting on a range of policy, legal and social issues of the day.

Death Penalty Blog / Amnesty International USA

Blog for Peace and Democracy in Nepal

Education Policy Blog / "Examining education from a social foundations perspective."

Global Voices / a non-profit global citizens’ media project, sponsored by and launched from the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at the Harvard Law School.

Eduwonk / on education policy.

NeutralSource / on Federal regulatory policy. (Disclaimer - client of ours.)


Marginal Revolutions / two economists discuss the news and policy issues

Also - we've written previously about various aspects of blogging:
"Unscary Blogs"
"Can you really afford to ignore bloggers?"
Citizen journalism and the MSM / Tapping blogs
Are Blogs Dead? Take 2
Policy Blogging: Becker-Posner Blog