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Should bloggers be held to the same code of ethics as professional journalists?
Should bloggers be held to the same code of ethics as professional journalists?
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| Yes | 61% | 151 votes | Total: 248 votes | |
| No | 39% | 97 votes |
Yes
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Add to FavoritesBlogging is becoming more and more prevalent in the world of journalism with the emergence of the Internet and with that emergence needs to come a greater level of responsibility. There are bloggers that are already writing for established news sources and are doing a good job with that. If these bloggers can be responsible, blogging can be an effective tools for established media.
However, to gain credibility, bloggers needs to practice and show the same ethics that people in print and broadcast media do. If they don't do that, they won't gain any credibility and their viewpoints will be ignored. There's already a stereotype among mainstream media that bloggers are just people that are hiding behind a veil of anonymity, living in their parent's basement. While that's not true for everybody, you can get that impression with the way and style some of these people write with.
Bloggers have to use a responsible writing system for sure. I have read blogs that can't go more than three or four words without putting a curse word in. Those people don't deserve to be anywhere journalism and wouldn't last a day under a professional code of ethics.
Bloggers can get themselves in trouble with some of their actions. Basically, bloggers can stick to opinion and entertainment and be just fine with that. When bloggers that don't have that much news and journalism experience start to try and get breaking news stories, more often than not, that ends up being trouble and wrong.
Blogging is becoming another outlet of professional journalism and there are beat writers that have turned to their blogs. If these people want to write about sports and think they can provide commentary just as good or better than what is out there right now on these sports programs, then they better be ready to be held to those same standards that professional journalists are held to. Otherwise, blog about something else and leave the real reporting to the professionals.
Journalism is about responsible reporting and informing the public about the news of the day. Blogs can definitely be a tool for that and provide a fresh take and some lighter moments to that. I see at Yahoo! Blogs, the right way to be responsible and provide some quality insight and quality commentary. Even with that though, they have to be careful with what they say. One critically offensive remark or fact error can really damage the reputation of the blog and make people go somewhere else for what they want to see.
Overall, blogging is great and can provide different insights if done responsibility. If you want to be a sports blogger though, you better have good judgment and know when to be very critical and when to back off. The most important thing is to get the facts right.
Learn more about this author, Greg Reedy.
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No
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. Retrieved on 2008-06-05
Webster's defines a blog or blogger as a website that contains a online personal journal with reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer.
Bloggers are not journalists, therefore, are not aware of journalism standards. A normal citizen has not invested the time educating themselves in order to act as a journalist would. Likewise, a normal citizen is allowed to voice political opinions, help sick friends or children, put out a fire in his or her home, and is not held to the same standards as a professional fireman, nurse, doctor, or politician A citizen is not trained, aware of procedures; standards, not to mention is not paid, but still permitted to have a portion of the above privileges.
Those who spend the time, money, and years in education, with the goal of employment in journalism, it is logical to assume can be required to adhere to the same standards when blogging, as when publishing in any other media.
Can an average citizen be expected to adhere to journalistic standards when we are not a journalist? That is not possible, though if it were, bloggers would become obsolete. The internet would become a medium for independent journalists or networks such as CNN, CNBC, NBC etc. to stream coverage of the latest breaking news.
When most think of the question, should bloggers adhere to the same standards as journalists, they then think news that regards socio-economic issues. Currently there are 112 million (sited by blog search engine Technorati) bloggs broadcast by normal citizens on subjects such as: fashion, personal issues, corporate, entertainment, personal diaries, politics, fashion, projects, hobbies, music, arts, crafts, quizzes, legal issues, gardening tips, home and family and many more. Some believe bloggers should provide a bibliography or as much detail as possible in regard to all categories or least provide some proof of their statements. How can you prove the accuracy of a diary, hobby, or self-made quiz? Will the accuracy, or inaccuracy of a blog such as a diary, or home and family site make or break our peace of mind?
To place rules in order to provide protection from a violent crime toward someone for example: stalking or harming a person, are logical respectable, standards. It is vital for every person to be able to understand and easily adhere to the few standards placed. Self expression, identity, and free speech need to remain priority number one. The internet is not the same as the news, anyone can participate, and that is a large portion of the beauty. Anyone can share an opinion, or express themselves, without a prerequisite, such as a degree, not all of us are so privileged to be owners of such things.
Learn more about this author, Gabriel Yuva.
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