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8/7/2019 Danny Arao on Blogging and Journalism
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A bloggers obligationNotes on ethics, journalism
and blogging
Danilo A. Arao
risingsun.dannyarao.com
(an update of BlogFest 2010 keynote)
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Just to make it clear
Blogging and mass media Both part of the public domain
Both have an audience
Both have an impact
Blogging as part of new media Helps shape public opinion
Performs three main functions Information
Education
Entertainment
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Blogging and mass media
Blogging also covers mass medias three
major fields
Journalism
Advertising and public relations
Entertainment
THEREFORE, blogging is not necessarily
journalism A blogger has several options, limited only by his
or her imagination
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Whats the best option?
ITS ALL UP TO YOU, ACTUALLY Why do you blog?
What is your blog all about?
What are the needs of your online audience? Journalism, Advertising & PR and
Entertainment have their own advantages
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In the context of ethics
HOWEVER, they have their own codes ofethics that sometimes clash with each other Journalism accuracy in reporting
Advertising and PR exaggeration of reality Entertainment suspended disbelief
In the context of various social problems andthe need to accurately and responsibly report
them I am very biased for JOURNALISTIC
BLOGGING
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Comparison
JournalismJournalism BloggingBlogging
Gatekeepers?Gatekeepers? YesYes NoNo
Pressures?Pressures? Owners, advertisers,Owners, advertisers,
interest groups, etc.interest groups, etc.
None, unlessNone, unless
Cost of production?Cost of production? ExpensiveExpensive(for print, radio, TV)(for print, radio, TV)
Minimal, evenMinimal, evenfreefree
Assaults on freeAssaults on freeexpression?expression?
YesYes(legal and extra(legal and extra--
legal)legal)
YesYes(mainly(mainly
legal, e.g.,legal, e.g.,libel)libel)
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Bloggers Code of Ethics
Responsible bloggers should recognize thatResponsible bloggers should recognize that
they are publishing words publicly, and theythey are publishing words publicly, and they
have certain ethical obligations to theirhave certain ethical obligations to their
readers, the people they write about andreaders, the people they write about and
society in general (CyberJournalist.net)society in general (CyberJournalist.net)
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Are journalists imposing on bloggers?
D
EFINITELY NOT.
Whats crucial to blogging isWhats crucial to blogging is
adherence to standardsadherence to standards
conscious effort to be responsibleconscious effort to be responsible
Journalism ethicsJournalism ethics used as basis because this isused as basis because this isthe oldest and most developed in the field of mediathe oldest and most developed in the field of media
ethicsethics
Bloggers Code of Ethics actually based on Society ofBloggers Code of Ethics actually based on Society of
Professional Journalists (SPJ) Code of EthicsProfessional Journalists (SPJ) Code of Ethics Healthcare Blogger Code of Ethics has elements ofHealthcare Blogger Code of Ethics has elements of
journalistic practicejournalistic practice
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Solving ethical dilemmas
Remember five basic principles of the
practice of journalism (Lambeth)
Truth-telling
Justice
Freedom
Humaneness
Stewardship
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Solving ethical dilemmas
Remember three ethical commands (Poynter
Institute)
Seek truth and report it as fully as possible
Act independently
Minimize harm
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Bloggers Code of Ethics
(Cyberjournalist.
net) Be honest and fair
Bloggers should be honest and fair in gathering,
reporting and interpreting information.
Minimize harm
Ethical bloggers treat sources and subjects as
human beings deserving of respect.
Be accountable Bloggers should admit mistakes and correct them
promptly.
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Things to watch out for
Observance of proper use of English or
Filipino language
e.g., grammar, syntax and diction
Avoid name-calling, mudslinging
Do not use rumors, unverified information as
bases for blog entries
Do not depend on blog content providerslike unscientific surveys, tests; or even
unreliable sources
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Some issues in blogging
PlagiarismPlagiarism
Blog monetizationBlog monetization
Sponsored postsSponsored posts
Paid linksPaid links
Ad placements interfering with contentAd placements interfering with content
Blogs as purely aggregators;Blogs as purely aggregators; splogssplogs
Content determined mainly by SEO tacticsContent determined mainly by SEO tacticslike keyword densitylike keyword density
FACTFACT--CHECKING! (easier said than done)CHECKING! (easier said than done)
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Issue here goes beyond fact-checking!
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How NOT to blog
Characterassassination
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Assessing blog content
Quality of blog entry is measured not only byyour post but also the comments you approve
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Will you approve this comment?
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How do you handle criticisms?
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Be ready for
below-the-beltcriticisms
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Some lessons learned
Be level-headed enough to engage in a
healthy debate
Be mature enough to ignore personal attacks
Dont stoop to the level of individuals whose
concept of debate is maximizing logical
fallacies (e.g., ad hominem)
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Blogging Ethics 101
Write responsibly. Dont blog if your MAIN
objective is any of the following
Making money online through deception
Getting even with enemies
Anonymous ranting
Rumor mongering
Spreading innuendo and speculation Personal misrepresentation
Self-gratification
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What is the bloggers obligation?
Just like the duty of journalists
TO HELP SHAPE PUBLIC OPINION BY
PROVIDING RELEVANT INFORMATION
To adhere to the highest professional and
ethical standards of writing
BECAUSE OUR ONLINE AUDIENCE
DESERVES NOTHING LESS This way, we can help raise the level of
discourse to a HIGHER LEVEL
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Thank you!
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twitter.com/dannyarao