What Is “Ethical Blogging”?

Jump to Comments

There has been a lot of talk on “ethical blogging” from here as well as throughout the Virginia blogosphere.  It is a thread that returns time and time again and an issue that never seems to find a solution.  Many take issue with the concept of “ethical blogging” though whether this is because they have a view of blogs as the Wild West or merely because they take issue with certain points made by those arguing for ethics is known only to the offended party.

Whackette at The Daily Whackjob shared her Ten Commandments For Bloggers which provide an interesting framework for discussion.

We here at God Save Virginia also have an idea of what ethical blogging means to us.

It means kindness to your fellow man.

It means respecting the host, the visitors, and the subjects.

It means a respect for the opinion of others but also a respect for differences in those opinions.  That respect does not mean you don’t debate, it simply means that ones approach to the debate needs to be framed by the issues and an understanding that both parties are at their core good people who are strong in their convictions.

It means being able to admit when you are wrong.

It means being able to separate yourself from those elements that you feel cause harm to yourself and others.  This does not mean removing yourself from differing opinions, but if you feel a site does not meet your personal criteria for ethical actions, why continue to visit, promote, and discuss that site?

So now we open the floor up to you, our readers:

What does “ethical blogging” mean to you?  What does it entail?  Does it even matter?

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments though we also welcome and highly promote continuing the conversation on your own blogs, engaging your own readers and opening the floor to an even wider audience.

2 Comments

Filed under ethics, open thread