Per a recent post at The Editors Weblog, a study reported by the law firm DLA Piper reported that 46% of internet users are in favor of a code of conduct for bloggers and online commentators. Only 32% of bloggers indicated that they would support the initiative.
“According to Duncan Calow, a DLA Piper media law specialist, there is a “dangerous perception” among web users that user-generated content is “immune to the law.” Three-quarters of users who had posted comments or blogged online were oblivious to libel law, while only 1 in 3 had actually read the terms and conditions of the sites they frequent.”
A press release on DLA Piper’s website yields a wealth of statistics (aggregated from a survey conducted by UK-based YouGove Plc) about blogger and commentator awareness surrounding legal issues:
- Only 5% of bloggers and commentators are clear on their rights.
- 77% of bloggers don’t know where the law stands.
- Online 33% of internet commentators have read the terms and conditions of the forum they are using.
- 42% of Internet users feel bloggers should be held to the same legal standards as journalists.
- Only 27% of bloggers feel they should be held to the same standards as journalists.
- 46% of Internet users think a code of conduct should be created; Only 36% of bloggers are in favor.
Click here to read more about the study, including some of the legal pitfalls associated with blogging and online commentary.
So, what do you think? Are you in favor of a bloggers code of conduct? Should bloggers be held to the same legal standards as journalist?
Image Credit: Flickr ~C4Chaos
I think it’s a good idea. I’m not totally sure whether I’m within the blogger acceptable code of conduct, especially when I use email passed around jokes. I always give sources if what I’m writing isn’t my creative work in its entirety. My vote would be “Yes.”
“Are you in favor of a bloggers code of conduct?”
No, coming up with an widely applicable and acceptable code would be a huge and unproductive effort. Acceptable for whom, The Washington Post or the lower forms of the Enquirer? or for a blogger posting pictures and stories about their cat?
“Should bloggers be held to the same legal standards as journalist?”
Maybe, if they have the same legal protection and resources.
Blooggers do committ acts of journalism and as such, yes, I do think they should be held to the same standards as journalists. Althouh, my understanding is that, as far as the law goes, those standards are pretty high. You have to do something really egregious to committ libel. As far as journalistic standards go, the individual blogger is free to hold himself to whatever standards he wants. If he wants to be a journalist, he can be a weak and sloppy journalist - and will get a reputation as such. Or he can be a honest and thorough journalist.
I’m all for it. There are simply a lot of people who believe the Internet offers anonymity. Bloggers are often told they need to get “thick skin” if they’re going to put up with rude comments.
Sources should always be cited or referenced somewhere in the article. Sources and reputable links let others know that you’ve done some work for your reader…that’s a good thing. It shows you care, and that your intention is to cover all bases.