The Right to Blog

It has now been six months since I started this blog. I decided it was about time that I reevaluate my objectives and policies for posting. Any similarity to these principles are clearly intentional as I used them as the starting point to my own.

While I do veer off the main topics of new media, communications, and Public Relations from time to time, my opinions and reflections on advances in each of these areas are the primary focus if this online space. It is my full intention for this space to be a reflection and extension of some of my own values: honesty, creativity, trustworthiness, loyalty, and fairness.

Privacy: I will respect the privacy of all those who contribute information to my posts. I will create a clear division between personal communication and blog related communication. No information received through a casual conversation will be fair game for blogging unless given the full consent of my source.

Kindness: I will do my very best to refrain from causing any undue harm to any party involved in any of my blog posts. Beyond the cardinal rule of not posting anything that will get anyone fired or killed, I will do my best to keep in mind the interests of those mentioned in my posts.

Linking: Since this blog doesn't exactly reveal breaking news, I will continue to give credit to all the sources of my information through linking to the original site. It is just as important to explain my opinion as it is to reveal the sources of information that have brought me to my conclusions. All relevant information pertaining to each post will be included through links to outside sources.

Transparency: I will clearly state all the sources of my information as well as have a clear division between opinion and fact. I will not use unnamed sources. Any direct quotations will reflect the exact phrasing and ideas of those quoted and I will do my best not to take any information out of context where it may be misleading.

Accountability: I will take credit for any and all of the effects of what I write. I will hold myself fully accountable for my posts and will do all in my power to repair any harm to innocent parties. Needless to say, I will also take full credit for any of the positive impacts, if any, which result from my blog. I will boast with brevity and humility.

Corrections: While I do my best to ensure the truth of my posts, I will make corrections as soon as I become aware of any factual errors, or completely remove any posts whose information is grossly inaccurate or damaging information.

These principles may need revision from time to time, and changes will be made as needed. If you catch me breaking any one of these principles, I want to know. (Remember the accountability part?)

Technorati tags: blogging ethics principles