Big brother invades the blogosphere

[jackinnj]

Well, it had to happen with this crew in Washington -- if you get free samples (as I do from Analog Devices, TI, Nat Semi, Linear Tech, OnSemi etc.) you are going to have to disclose as much if you say something about their product on your site.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/06/bu...1&ref=business

There was a similar story in the Wall Street Journal online edition yesterday.

Anyone in need of a copy of Atlas Shrugged? How's that H.G. Wells working out for ya, bud?

[SY]

I suspect/hope that this will not stand up in the inevitable litigation.

[Johnloudb]

Originally Posted by jackinnj

Well, it had to happen with this crew in Washington -- if you get free samples (as I do from Analog Devices, TI, Nat Semi, Linear Tech, OnSemi etc.) you are going to have to disclose as much if you say something about their product on your site.

Big Brother? Let's not go blaming this "Crew in Washington." Bush and the Republicans gave us legalised government wire tapping of anyone. Made buying prescription drugs in Canada illegal. Tried to get all Internet search engines to disclose a list of everyone who visits a site with pornography. And so on .....

Jack, you make your political bias very evident. Both parties want control, they just have different objectives. I know political discussion isn't welcome on the forum, so maybe can just leave it at that.

[Glowbug]

Would be an enforcement mess...

[Johnloudb]

Originally Posted by Glowbug

Would be an enforcement mess...

Yeah, I don't think it's going to happen.

[pjp]

It looks to me like they're trying to bring some honesty into the blogosphere.

There are too many blogs that are dishonest about their relationship with the product they are endorsing. Some of these blogs are even run by advertising agencies.

Mandatory disclosure of any financial relationship between the blogger and the product being advertised^H^H^H^H^H^ reviewed can only be a very good thing.

[Netlist]

Correct, gentleman. Avoid politics and this can turn into a very interesting discussion.
Web 3.0?

[janneman]

Originally Posted by pjp

It looks to me like they're trying to bring some honesty into the blogosphere.

There are too many blogs that are dishonest about their relationship with the product they are endorsing. Some of these blogs are even run by advertising agencies.

Mandatory disclosure of any financial relationship between the blogger and the product being advertised^H^H^H^H^H^ reviewed can only be a very good thing.

I agree. Manufacturers posing on a blog as 'joe consumer', or paying joe consumer to peddle their wares are simply misleading us and are dishonest. So somebody should put a check on that.

jd

[Glowbug]

Originally Posted by janneman

I agree. Manufacturers posing on a blog as 'joe consumer', or paying joe consumer to peddle their wares are simply misleading us and are dishonest. So somebody should put a check on that.

jd

The idea is good in theory, but I think people put too much faith in what they read on blogs. Just like on this site, where somebody could put down a product and never have heard or used it at all. It's our job as the readers to filter out what's noise and what's real, and to exercise a healthy amount of caution.

[SY]

I don't suppose the idea that emptor should be responsible for his own caveat will fly here? All I see is an enforcement mess and an attempt to further put our free speech/press rights in the hands of morons and hall monitors.

Here's an example: I have a review of Morgan Jones's books on my website. I recommend them relentlessly because I think they're excellent. Need I disclose each and every time that he has put me up at his home, let me drink his Scotch, and occasionally given me parts (as I have done with him)? If I use one of Jan Didden's regulators, need every mention of it be accompanied with a disclosure that he gave me some boards? Nelson Pass bought me dinner once and gave me some drivers and a soldering iron- is that necessary for disclosure if I ever say something nice about one of his designs? Holy cow, I was getting ready to post some data on Pete Millett's new amp- I'd better tabulate the beer he's bought me and disclose that he gave me a board on each post of that thread!

This is a mess and really ripe for abuse.

edit: Nice article:
http://mediactive.com/2009/10/05/a-d...-social-media/