Bloggers take "integrity pledge"

Stuff was the stuff of conversation at BlogHer again this year. For good reason: More sponsoring companies were at the conference sharing their swag and spreading the word about their wares with women bloggers who they hope will spread the word about their wares. The irony of the strong sponsor presence is there has been a long-simmering debate in the blogosphere about the growing practice of many bloggers taking stuff for free from companies who court them and writing about it--usually in nice reviews with nary a critical note.

I get that bloggers are eager to make money and derive some kind of benefit from their writing. I also get that most bloggers are not journalists, most of whom are guided by ethical guidelines that make it clear you don't take things or services from anyone you write about. So I think it's a good thing that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is close to cracking down to require bloggers who accept and keep products and services to say they do so their readers know the full deal. It's about transparency and trust, and it's important.

Even better than the government stepping in to set some standards is a move among bloggers to set some standards for each other, for the community. That's what blogging is all about--community. And a true community is built on trust. That's why this "integrity pledge," which basically calls for bloggers to tell readers whether or not they are getting paid by or receiving free stuff from companies whose products they are writing about, already has several hundred bloggers signing on.

From the "Blog with Integrity" website:

"The Blog with Integrity pledge was created in July 2009 to provide bloggers with a tangible and collective way to express our commitment to a simple code of blogging conduct.

It is the direct result of a series of conversations among four bloggers – Susan Getgood, Liz Gumbinner, Kristen Chase, and Julie Marsh."

It's about time. Read the pledge and see if you agree. Wouldn't you like to know whether a blogger is receiving some kind of pay or goodies for their time and take on a product?

By displaying the Blog with Integrity badge or signing the pledge, I assert that the trust of my readers and the blogging community is important to me.

I treat others respectfully, attacking ideas and not people. I also welcome respectful disagreement with my own ideas. I believe in intellectual-property rights, providing links, citing sources and crediting inspiration where appropriate.

I disclose my material relationships, policies and business practices. My readers will know the difference between editorial, advertorial and advertising, should I choose to have it. If I do sponsored or paid posts, they are clearly marked.

When collaborating with marketers and PR professionals, I handle myself professionally and abide by basic journalistic standards.

I always present my honest opinions to the best of my ability.

I own my words. Even if I occasionally have to eat them.