ethical blogging
Brooke Burton and Leah Greenstein are proposing a food blog code of ethics. People have begun to realize the situation is getting out of control. Payoffs, and requests for favors are becoming the norm, PR agents are as likely to post comments as supposed diners on many sites.
Some bloggers see the struggles of real journalists, and that industry, and have become drunk with their perceived power. Not so fast people. A good blog is nothing more than a community art project, a chance to build on a community of people who share a passion.
Bloggers are not journalists. I see no reason this blog needs to conform to those specific rules. It ought to comply with the rules of civil behavior. Furthermore I try to make decisions on this blog that reflect a longer view–clearly I have made mistakes, but for the most part we have not mired to deep into the minutia.
The openness of this medium is part of its import, and part of its undoing. Recently a chef attempted to blog about a dislike of me, and propagate some silly rumors. I choose not to allow these comments, this individual would undoubtedly have looked silly and mean spirited. The team discussed what approach was appropriate, whether free speech should outweigh my concern for the individuals reputation, and if this blog should become a place for people to hate. Frankly it was an easy decision, as I say this is a community art project, nothing more, nothing less. I for one am having a blast being a part of this community.
5 Comments to “ethical blogging”
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I fall into the “art project” realm. Blogging is a hobby for me, and a nice way to build community – that’s right, I have online friends that I have never met, yet still enjoy. It gives me a good reason to try new things and celebrate what I’ve discovered. There are some that take it very seriously – great objective writers that provoke thoughtful discussion (I, unfortunately, am not one of them) while others, although few, choose to push personal agendas or vendettas. I call them “food assholes.”
Regardless, I don’t think there necessarily needs to be a code of ethics for everyone to follow. It would give a certain amount of structure, but I am more into the beautiful randomness of this community.
That’s beautiful. “food assholes”, too funny.
I count myself in both camps. No agenda or vendettas, but certainly opinions. Which I find sorely lacking in echo chambers like Chowhounds.com
And opinions are like assholes… Heh, full circle in under four comments
The reason blogs are so awesome is BECAUSE there’s no “code of ethics”. Nor any other set of rules, restrictions, guidelines, commandments, or national headquarters. In fact, the day there’s a Society of Professional Bloggers will be the day that the blogosphere officially dies.
Doesn’t mean that blogs are meaningless or more to the point, powerless. That’d be like saying that spreading gossip is harmless. But to date, there’s a HUGE amount of difference between the power of a blog, and the power of mainstream media. Someday, blogs will be at the same level, but like I alluded to before, that’ll be the day I lose interest.
The day the blog dies…what will happen? Perhaps folks will start getting together and having conversations face to face. Or maybe, join community study groups:)