Ethics of Blogging

In my steadfast reluctance to create a blog, I have long relied on the argument that bloggers are not journalists. There is no system of accountability, oftentimes no editing and, except in rare circumstances, no objective reporting.

So I find it interesting that CyberJournalist would include a Bloggers Code of Ethics on its Web site. The guidelines were adapted from the Society of Professional Journalists code.

Among the guidelines CyberJournalist lists is "They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context." This is one of my greatest pet peeves on the Internet. Oftentimes, intelligent discussion degenerates into quotes pulled out of context and straw man arguments. There is no true, effective system of accountability on the Web. There is no filter.