Comments on: Bloggers Face New FTC Scrutiny

By: Roxanne Darling

Roxanne Darling — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 00:29:39 +0000

In addition to the voluntary compliance, I think the main targets will be not just every blogger but the truly influential bloggers – and they are easy to find. There is much about the blogosphere that is self-policing, or should I say those who delight in outing others. I agree with you that the ethics should initiate with the writer/blogger for all to benefit the most.

By: Sean

Sean — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:01:45 +0000

Ignoring the issue that enforcement of these new guidelins, I do think that most professional wine critics (WS, WA, etc.) satisfy these standards. For example, professional wine critics do not provide readers/consumers with itemized lists of gifts (e.g., food, etc.) or gifted services (e.g., travel/airfare, etc.). Having said this, I do believe that journalists should disclose any (direct or indirect) compensation received.

By: Administrator

Administrator — Mon, 25 May 2009 15:39:59 +0000

Thank you for the comment. While it is without a doubt true, on the one hand, that the FTC, should the guidelines be approved in their current form, will face a daunting challenge, but on the other hand, the guidelines' intent is not enforcement per se, but to promote voluntary compliance. The FTC's larger idea is that bloggers should no longer be exempt from 'truth in advertising' regulations, and, most importantly, that consumers will positively benefit from a blogger's disclosure. This has nothing to do with intrusive govt. regulation, in my opinion. It is about encouraging bloggers to provide the consumer with relevant information so that they might make an informed purchasing decision.

By: The Blog Wine Cellar

The Blog Wine Cellar — Mon, 25 May 2009 06:46:42 +0000

The FTC will never be able to enforce these laws because there are just to many bloggers out there and virtually everyone is making their opinions known online. It would be hard to prove someone was recieveing compensation for positively reviewing products.

By: Arthur, winesooth

Arthur, winesooth — Fri, 22 May 2009 23:23:52 +0000

May 6th. Youtube has only excerpts. CSPAN had the whole thing until recently. Maybe deeper searching of that archive will turn up something.

By: Administrator

Administrator — Fri, 22 May 2009 20:19:57 +0000

Nice to hear from you, Arthur. I’ve read accounts of the hearing but I did not watch the hearing itself. I’ll try to find it. It was held in early May, I believe. Cheers.

By: Arthur, winesooth

Arthur, winesooth — Fri, 22 May 2009 20:09:08 +0000

Hi Ken

Did you catch the (nearly two hour) congressional hearing about the future of journalism. Headed up by John Kerry, the hearing addressed blogging as well. the CSPAN web site had the video, but it’s no longer available