I was watching the Cranky Geeks show # 82, where Josh Wolf was interviewed. He is the blogger that spent 226 days in jail due to his refusal to turn over a video tape of a protest he filmed in which a policeman got hurt. Part of the discussion came around to the question, “Are bloggers journalists?”
This show makes interesting viewing for anyone serious about business and blogging. It got me thinking.
If bloggers are journalists, should business bloggers apply similar standards, code of conduct, and ethics as journalists?
Journalists follow a code of conduct and often their employers get them to sign an agreement that spells out their rules and conduct as well. Since most business blogs are operated by micro and small businesses observing a specific set of ethics and standards may not have been fully thought out in advance. Therefore, I thought this would make an interesting discussion.
Journalists Code of Conduct
I decided to research what a journalists code of conduct was purported to be, I found the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) website, where they state a journalists Code of Ethics as being:
- Seek Truth and Report It
- Minimize Harm
- Act Independently
- Be Accountable
Feel free to check out the details of each bullet point yourself.
I decided to pull out a few of the points from the SPJ Code of Ethics that I think all of the credible business bloggers I know already observe:
- Test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise care to avoid inadvertent error. Deliberate distortion is never permissible.
- Identify sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources’ reliability.
- Never plagiarize.
- Distinguish between advocacy and news reporting. Analysis and commentary should be labeled and not misrepresent fact or context.
- Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity.
- Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance.
- Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived.
- Disclose unavoidable conflicts.
- Admit mistakes and correct them promptly.
- Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others.
Like I said, most of the seasoned business bloggers I know practice most if not all of the standards listed from the SPJ web site. I know from experience that many bloggers, business gurus, and even the WSJ have their facts wrong relating to the facts on the rate of business failures. Whenever I get the opportunity I let bloggers, journalists, and entrepreneurs know what the real facts are on business survival and failure.
Questions for Discussion
Lets discuss the following questions and see what we can learn from one another. Consider these questions:
- Do you have a code of conduct?
- Is there a place for gossip on a business blog?
- Do you disclose conflicts of interest routinely?
- How do you practice objectivity and transparency in your business and on your blog?
- What standards do you follow with reference to fact checking?
- When quoting others do you identify them and link back to them? Do you check their facts and assumptions?
Choose a question and share your thoughts, business practice, and/or personal standards you observe.