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
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