Comments on: Bloggers to be Fined for Not Disclosing Payments

By: RC - RC Rambling

RC - RC Rambling — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 05:17:24 +0000

I have mixed feelings on this one, and because of the lack of rules (blogging is still a bit of the Wild West), I’m cautious when I’m reading reviews on blog sites, unless I know the writer well and know what his/her policy is on sharing such information.

As for me, as you know, I disclose it all when I’ve been asked to review something. I think it is only right, especially since I come from a journalism/public relations background.

By: Caution - Read At Your Own Risk | Blogging Without A Blog

Caution - Read At Your Own Risk | Blogging Without A Blog — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:49:40 +0000

[...] Bloggers to be Fined Up to $11000 for Not Disclosing Payments by Vered at Momgrind [...]

By: MomGrind

MomGrind — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:38:02 +0000

It's a tricky question. We see the blogger as responsible for protecting the reader, but many bloggers are not exactly media moguls - they are just individuals who write thoughts and opinions; plus, the FTC rules cover social media use as well, and as Mr. Jarvis says (see The Lawyer Mom's comment), most bloggers and most people who participate in social media do not consider themselves as making media – they are simply talking and connecting.

By: Mrs. Micah

Mrs. Micah — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:29:16 +0000

@Barbara Ling, and how do you propose doing that research? When I google a particular financial product, or a face cream, or really any product, I immediately find bloggers reviewing it. Blogs are places where people do their research nowadays. Blogs and message boards.

I’m confused what your idea of personal responsibility is. Should people automatically discount blogs as sources of information? Is that responsible–and if so, where do you suggest they get other people’s viewpoints on how a product works? Should we not look for other people’s opinions?

Or should people who know they’re providing information that’s going to influence buying decisions be responsible enough to say “hey, I want you to know that I got to review this for free, even if I don’t think that influenced my review”?

By: Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach

Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:52:15 +0000

Here’s a novel idea – people have their OWN responsibility to do their OWN due diligence and research…instead of blindly accepting everything they see.

What a concept, eh?

By: Marelisa

Marelisa — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 06:19:45 +0000

Hi Vered: I include a note in my blog posts if I have affiliate links, but I think I’m going to add something to my “legal” section as well. Even if there weren’t a law in effect, I consider it to be good practice to let people know that you make money if they buy a product from your blog, for the sake of transparency.

By: MomGrind

MomGrind — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 03:45:34 +0000

Thanks for the link – very interesting. I agree with Mr. Jarvis – most bloggers and most people who participate in social media do not consider themselves as making media – they are simply talking and connecting.