Lots of talk hereabouts due to Zephyr's blog revelations. It really brings into sharp contrast for me an issue that's been deviling me. I recently posted about
Washington State Dem Party chair candidates and their appearance at my Legislative District's reorganization meeting. Before I went I struggled with the issue of disclosure. I was planning on writing something for here, so wanted to be fair to the candidates and disclosed to most of them (sorry Bill!) what I was planning.
This site gets a lot of hits and I knew the post had the potential to be seen by a lot of people who would be meeting the candidates for the first time via me. So I decided I would do the most objective write up I could to be most fair to the candidates even though I have expressed support for one of them here in the past. Luckily, all the candidates had outstanding qualities and they made it easy to write good things about them.
So now I'm wondering: what are blogger ethics?
Curiousity about the pulse of the community on this has driven me to ask.
Notes from the Legal Underground has this to say. Privacy violations are the main focus:
One of Rosen's main gripes about weblogs is that their authors often don't respect the privacy of ordinary citizens and are apt to publish private conversations or overheard snatches of dialogue that should remain in the private sphere. Here Rosen is on solid ground. It made me wonder about my own privacy policy, which I've decided is more or less as follows--
* In my private dealing with others, I assume everything is off the record unless we agree otherwise. This policy encompasses conversations with other webloggers. The only exception is for statements by public figures at public gatherings.
* A person's name is not posted without permission unless it already appears in a print publication or the person's own weblog.
* E-mails are not posted without permission.
* Overheard snatches of conversation might be posted unless I think someone might identify the source.
This is relevant in Zephyr's revelations. I would assume Zephyr has released private details. This appears unethical. But the ramifications of such release could extend far beyond embarrasement as we see the VRWC pick up the ball and cover it with mud.
Cyberjournalist provides a much more comprehensive list, published April, 2003 (so this topic is only really new to me then!):
Be Honest and Fair
Bloggers should be honest and fair in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.
Bloggers should:
- Never plagiarize.
- Identify and link to sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources' reliability.
- Make certain that Weblog entries, quotations, headlines, photos and all other content do not misrepresent. They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context.
- Never distort the content of photos without disclosing what has been changed. Image enhancement is only acceptable for for technical clarity. Label montages and photo illustrations.
- Never publish information they know is inaccurate -- and if publishing questionable information, make it clear it's in doubt.
- Distinguish between advocacy, commentary and factual information. Even advocacy writing and commentary should not misrepresent fact or context.
- Distinguish factual information and commentary from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two.
Minimize Harm
Ethical bloggers treat sources and subjects as human beings deserving of respect.
Bloggers should:
- Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by Weblog content. Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjects.
- Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief.
- Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of information is not a license for arrogance.
- Recognize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than do public officials and others who seek power, influence or attention. Only an overriding public need can justify intrusion into anyone's privacy.
- Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity.
Be cautious about identifying juvenile suspects, victims of sex crimes and criminal suspects before the formal filing of charges.
Be Accountable
Bloggers should:
- Admit mistakes and correct them promptly.
- Explain each Weblog's mission and invite dialogue with the public over its content and the bloggers' conduct.
- Disclose conflicts of interest, affiliations, activities and personal agendas.
- Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist their pressure to influence content. When exceptions are made, disclose them fully to readers.
- Be wary of sources offering information for favors. When accepting such information, disclose the favors.
- Expose unethical practices of other bloggers.
- Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others.
I think these are excellent ethical guidelines. I, blogger lapin, do solemnly swear to abide by the cyberjournalists code of ethics (even though I'm really more of a cybercubjournalist) in all my dealings with the blogosphere.