Blogging policy examples

By Charlene Li

One thing that I discuss in my report on corporate blogging is the need for policies, one for a company to provide guidelines to its employee bloggers, and the other for the blogger – a “code of ethics” to build trust with readers. Please keep in mind that these are sample policies – every company and blogger will have to modify them to meet their own needs.

I’ve included samples from the report below, as well as links to a few examples. I’ve also put these, as well as a list of companies with public blogs, in a wiki (thanks to Ross Mayfield at Socialtext for the public wiki space) so that others can 1) improve on my initial thoughts; and 2) add links to good examples of public company blogs. My hope is that the wiki will provide an ongoing collaboration space for people interested in this topic.

Sample Corporate Blogging policy

1. Make it clear that the views expressed in the blog are yours alone and do not necessarily represent the views of your employer.
2. Respect the company’s confidentiality and proprietary information.
3. Ask your manager if you have any questions about what is appropriate to include in your blog.
4. Be respectful to the company, employees, customers, partners, and competitors.
5. Understand when the company asks that topics not be discussed for confidentiality or legal compliance reasons.
6. Ensure that your blogging activity does not interfere with your work commitments.

Originally from the Forrester Best Practice report, Blogging: Bubble Or Big Deal: When And How Businesses Should Use Blogs.

Corporate blogging policy examples

Groove Networks
Harvard Law School
Sarasota Herald Tribune
Sun Microsystems
Robert Scoble's The Corporate Weblog Manifesto

Sample Blogger Code Of Ethics

1. I will tell the truth.
2. I will write deliberately and with accuracy.
3. I will acknowledge and correct mistakes promptly.
4. I will preserve the original post, using notations to show where I have made changes so as to maintain the integrity of my publishing.
5. I will never delete a post.
6. I will not delete comments unless they are spam or off-topic.
7. I will reply to emails and comments when appropriate, and do so promptly.
8. I will strive for high quality with every post – including basic spellchecking.
9. I will stay on topic.
10. I will disagree with other opinions respectfully.
11. I will link to online references and original source materials directly.
12. I will disclose conflicts of interest.
13. I will keep private issues and topics private, since discussing private issues would jeopardize my personal and work relationships.

Originally from the Forrester Best Practices report, Blogging: Bubble Or Big Deal: When And How Businesses Should Use Blogs.

Blogger code of ethics/disclosures examples

bbrown.info
Joho the Blog - David Weinberger's blog disclosure, an excellent example.
Rhetorica Press-Politics Journal

Comments

[Anil]

Any discussion of weblog ethics should mention Rebecca Blood's seminal essay on the subject, which was also included in her book "The Weblog Handbook".

See here: http://www.rebeccablood.net/handbook/excerpts/weblog_ethics.html

[Bill Brown]

The blog entry that precipitated the creation of my blogging policy was Jonathan Delacour's Weblog Ethics (http://weblog.delacour.net/archives/2003/08/weblog_ethics.php). It's very thought provoking.

[code]

The blog entry that precipitated the creation of my blogging policy was

[Anita]

My consummer research firm is seeking car/auto bloggers to attend a focus group sponsered by an auto manufacturer. NJ/NY area (8-6-05 9am) and LA area (8-10-05 6pm). Attendees will receive $125-$175 for 2-3 hrs. of their time giving opinions and insight. Please call Anita for details 800-695-4794. Referrals accepted and appreciated!!! ... many thanks.