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 we’re
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. I’m explaining it based on my
own understanding.
Ø Be Honest and Fair
Since I am just a newbie in the world of blogging, I’ve 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.
It’s 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 O’Reilly
called for bloggers to work together to create a blogger’s 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 else’s 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 someone’s work or Ideas and passing
them off as one’s 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 you’re desperate to use something
really fantastic that you’ve 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 it’s
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 it’s just your own opinion.
If we publish untrue information about anyone or anything
that could negatively affect them. If we don’t
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.