Sunday, August 3, 2014

Blogging: Make it Right!!!

You, Yes You... Be.A.Ware!

Every one of us has the right to publish a blog; we are free to write about personal interest, events, situation, topics or opinions and post it worldwide via Internet then let visitors leave comments and even messages. A web blog will help us to gain knowledge from someone thru the World Wide Web. I think, it is one of the enjoyable things to do because it makes us feel better at the same time were providing information to our readers.

 A blog can be seen as a form of social networking service, because they build social relations with the readers and other bloggers
- Blog. {n.d.} In Wikipedia. Retrieved July 4, 2014- from  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog

Not all bloggers are Journalists but they also need to follow Moral ethics and laws. If we just want to write a blog for fun and enjoyment we should still be responsible enough in publicizing our blogs.
CyberJournalist.net has created a bloggers code of ethics, by modifying society of professional Journalists code of ethics for the Weblog world. CyberJournalist.net follows this code and impels the use of it.

Professional integrity is the cornerstone of our credibility.
- Jun Pasaylo, 2013 THE PORTAL, Grand Inquisitor, retrieved from 
http://junpasaylo.wordpress.com/2013/07/04/the-portal-professional-integrity-is-the-cornerstone-of-our-credibility/

 Bloggers who use this code of principles are not only practicing ethical publishing but they are also telling the readers that they can be trusted.


Here is the bloggers code of ethics from the CyberJournalist.net but the explanations however are mine. Im explaining it based on my own understanding.


Ø  Be Honest and Fair
Since I am just a newbie in the world of blogging, Ive learned that bloggers must be honest and fair in gathering, reporting and interpreting information. We should know how to give credits to our sources. We should not plagiarize. If possible ask permission from our sources that we are going to cite the information from.
 Its also our right to voice our opinion out, but we should know how to differentiate an opinion from a fact. Even though you disagree with a fact you, still have to present them, remember to always tell the truth. If you are going to publish something that you are not sure of about, state your own stance what you thought of with regards to the topic.

Ø  Minimize Harm
We need to treat our sources and subjects with respect.
Tim OReilly called for bloggers to work together to create a bloggers code of Conduct.

According to a Blogger's Code of Conduct:

You must.
·         Take responsibility not just for your own words, but for the comments you allow on your blog
·         Label your tolerance level for abusive comments.
·         Consider eliminating anonymous comments.
·         Ignore the trolls.
·         Take the conversation offline, and talk directly, or find an intermediary who can do so.
·         If you know someone who is behaving badly, tell them so.
·         Don't say anything online that you wouldn't say in person.

You must not

·         Violate any local, state, national or international law or post any Content that would encourage or provide instructions for a criminal offense.
·         Impersonate any person or entity or otherwise misrepresent yourself, your age or your affiliation with any person or entity
·         Send or make available any unsolicited or unauthorized advertising, solicitations, promotional materials, "junk mail," "spam," "chain letters," "pyramid schemes," or any other form of solicitation
·         Post or share any personally identifiable or private information of any third party
·         Solicit passwords or personal information from anyone, including those under 18
·         Use information or content you obtained on the AMYC website or service in any manner not authorized by the AMYC Code of Conduct or Terms of Use.
·         Post any material that contains software viruses or any other computer code, files or programs designed to interrupt, destroy or limit the functionality of any computer software or hardware or telecommunications equipment
·         Register more than one account or use or attempt to use another's account, service or system without authorization or create a false identity on the Service or the Site
·         Engage in any predatory or stalking conduct
In this case, I think they urge the bloggers not to harm others by avoiding strong language about hatred and profanity they also want to encourage us to become civil at all times when we disagree with someone elses opinion.

Ø   Be Accountable

Bloggers should admit mistakes and correct them promptly.
We need to apologize. It is not a good Idea to deny or hide the mistakes in our blog; our mistakes can make people disappointed. Admitting them save our credibility as bloggers.

Making a correction while retaining the error is best (unless it was libellous or is causing legal trouble) rather than simply changing the text as if it was never there.
How to Admit Mistakes on Your Blog {n.d.} Wiley-Dummies, retrieved from http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-admit-mistakes-on-your-blog.html

If we are going to promote something, make sure that we have examined the product before publishing it. If not, we will be bombarded with questions about our motives for promoting it. If we noticed some exceptions about the product it would be better if we are going to disclose it to our readers. It is our responsibility to provide the necessary information to our readers so we need to explain clearly the content of our blog.



Bloggers Legal guide:

"With Blogging Comes Great Responsibility
Raymond R. May, 2013, With blogging comes great responsibility (University of San Francisco) retrieve form http://lawblog.usfca.edu/internetjustice/2013/with-blogging-comes-great-responsibility-a-bloggers-legal-duties-and-dilemmas/

Blogging is free for everyone, but we also need to consider abiding the laws of blogging.

Ø  Copyright infringement
 This is a law that Protect Bloggers Content from Theft.
 According to the Oxford dictionary, Plagiarism is the practice of taking someones work or Ideas and passing them off as ones own. Sometimes we also put designs on our blog to attract more readers but if we use those images and designs without permission it is also considered as plagiarism.

If youre desperate to use something really fantastic that youve seen elsewhere, you can always email the creator and ask if the image is available for use and if there are conditions to this--- JESSICA MEDDOWS (JANUARY 31, 2014)


Ø  Trademark infringement
As bloggers its not recommended to use trademarks of other companies to support our topics in our blogs because we might mislead our readers. They might think that we are related to the owner of the trademark and we are representing them. If we do, we will be in a big trouble.


Ø  Defamation
The action of damaging the good reputation of someone; slander or libel-oxford dictionary

A false statement or a fact can also be an element of defamation, but if you are just sharing your own opinion it will not be considered as Defamatory as long as you have stated clearly that its just your own opinion.


If we publish untrue information about anyone or anything that could negatively affect them. If we dont have a proof about the subject that we want to publish, we better not publish it at all or else we will be facing a big trouble which is called Libel.

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