Tuesday, October 06, 2009
New Rules? Not here.
The new FTC rules about disclosing quid pro quos, business relationships and other possible ulterior motives will not affect this blog.
I've always disclosed facts that might influence my opinion about a topic I''ve blogged about. I'm proud to do so. I feel like I have a duty to my readers to tell them what's behind my opinions -- it's the very essence of blogging, in my opinion.
If there's any question, I'll even disclosed when there's not any influence.
Nobody at the FTC asked me to write this article and the FTC did not pay me anything for it. It's just a good idea. Too bad we bloggers needed a federal agency to tell us how to behave.
UPDATE: Popehat points out that any attempt to enforce these FTC rules is likely to bog down in a regulatory morass. (Hat tip to commenter Jess Austin!) I agree. It'd be SOOOO much better if we just decided that transparent motive disclosure was the thing to do.
I've always disclosed facts that might influence my opinion about a topic I''ve blogged about. I'm proud to do so. I feel like I have a duty to my readers to tell them what's behind my opinions -- it's the very essence of blogging, in my opinion.
If there's any question, I'll even disclosed when there's not any influence.
Nobody at the FTC asked me to write this article and the FTC did not pay me anything for it. It's just a good idea. Too bad we bloggers needed a federal agency to tell us how to behave.
UPDATE: Popehat points out that any attempt to enforce these FTC rules is likely to bog down in a regulatory morass. (Hat tip to commenter Jess Austin!) I agree. It'd be SOOOO much better if we just decided that transparent motive disclosure was the thing to do.
Technorati Tags: DontBeEvil, FTC
Comments:
the question become when does the disclosures become longer than the conversation and how do you disclose in a tweet (and leave enough room for the tweet).
Popehat had a different take. I find the described scenario pretty likely, and for what? So we can all pretend that objectivity exists? No thanks. The internet was created to obviate this sort of nanny-state crap.
Let the market decide whether disclosure is necessary: bloggers that are transparent may command more readership. As for disclosure in a tweet: your profile should contain a link to a web page that would contain any necessary disclosures
It's ironic, David. You react very negatively when government talks about regulating your business, but seem very much to want to regulate mine. Maybe now that the shoe is on the other foot, you will understand.
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# posted by 
: 10/12/2009 10:40 PM
: 10/12/2009 10:40 PM
