Discussions

Are People Confused About Ethics?

Posted by Rich • 7/20/07 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: cartoon network, ethics, jobster, john mackey, julie roehm, mcdonald's, Microsoft, nikon, polls, wal-mart

With much ado about whether bloggers should accept gifts, we found the recent PRWeek/MS&L study pretty interesting.

It revealed that 17 percent of marketers say their organizations have bought advertising in return for a news story; 7 percent said their organizations have an implicit/non-verbal agreement with a reporter or editor to see favorable coverage; and 5 percent said their companies had paid or provided a gift of value in exchange for a news story about their company or its products.

Clearly, there is some confusion about ethics. So we decided to run a poll that asks which one of eight recent events constitutes the greatest ethical breach (even though some are not breaches). If have a moment, share any ideas about blogging ethics here, and then drop by and vote.

copywriteink.blogspot.com/2007/07/revealing-ethical-realities-prweekms.html

User Comments

7/20/07

sweat1951

Excellent article. I voted.

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7/20/07

ghostytwofish

I'd like to know how many of those bloggers are the 'probloggers' that have been dissing the paid post movement over the past few months. Anyone taking bets?

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7/20/07

Rich

Thanks Sweat!

Ghostytwofish, that's a very interesting question ... if their dissing the paid post movement only because it benefits them to do so ... eesh! On that point, I don't understand if advertorials can exist, why not disclosed paid post?

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7/20/07

clioandme

Interesting. So what do people think about a company that is offering me a free piece of software if i participate in a web seminar on the thing? I would think it would be okay *if* I fully disclosed how I got my hands on the thing. Still, I probably won't bother, because the application has more of a business focus, and i use software in academia. Besides, everything else on my blog is just pure me and my experiences. I'm not sure why I would want to change that, even if it could be fun to have a new toy to play with.

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7/20/07

Rich

Hey Stoneman, good question. Participating in a webinar as an attendee for free software is a reward, nothing unethical about that no more than attending a time share event (if you don't mind the hard sell). Where ethics would become involved is "if" you were required to post something positive about the webinar or the software in exchange for the webinar and the software. Then it becomes an advertorial.

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7/20/07

VeraBass

I just posted about ethics, but on the topic of attribution.

I'll go check out your survey.

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7/20/07

Rich

Thanks Vera, I'm going to visit your post now.

First I want to share what I posted on myRagan. Some of the questions really demonstrate to me how confused people are about ethics, especially online. So here are three questions and my response:

Is it ethical to ask for comments on a client’s blog?
This is not an ethics question.

Is it ethical to tap back channels if you encourage people to keep it secret, particularly when you champion authenticity?
This is not an ethics question, unless you were not supposed to share the information to begin with. I liken it to speaking "off the record."

And, as Debbie Weil suggested to us, is it ethical to post someone’s email to a blog?
This is an ethics question. The answer depends on which ethical code you subscribe. For journalists, the answer is yes. For communicators, the answer the no, unless you notify the person of your intent to publish it.

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1. 7/21/07
  
  MadameX
  
  # 3 is actually at least as much a legal question as an ethical one. Without effective advance disclosures or permission, it's most likely an infringement of copyrights.
2. 7/27/07
  
  Rich
  
  Madame X,
  Sorry for my late response. Yes, it could be, depending on the content of the material. Excellent point.
7/20/07

VeraBass

Sorry, I don't know enough about every one of the multiple choice subjects to cast a meaningful vote. Also, is there a post on your blog in which you define ethics or your use of the term?

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7/20/07

Theresa111

My dear Rich,

I left word on your comment section.
Now, Please find my discussion on Save The Internet and check it out. Thank you.

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1. 7/20/07
  
  Rich
  
  Theresa, You can count on it.
7/20/07

Theresa111

ETHICS………
1) The study of standards of conduct and moral judgement.
2) The system of morals of a particular person, religion group, etc. .

ETHICAL……Greek from ethos - character
1) Having to do with ethics; of or conforming to moral standards.
2) Conforming to professional standards of conduct.

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7/20/07

Rich

Hey Vera, no problem. No, I did not include a definition on the post (but mention it elsewhere labeled ethics). I also left a comment on your post though, that will provide some insight on where my professional ethics most often reside.

If you are interested, you can source six of the eight events on my blog (labels at the bottom of the post). I never wrote in depth about the Microsoft laptops nor Wal-Mart's flog.

I really appreciate your candor though. I think it is less important to know them all if one jumps out as the leader. Yet, truly, I don't claim that this poll is meant to be scientific as much as a conversation for next week.

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7/20/07

Rich

Just another thought added to our blog ... if general awareness is a factor in being the greatest, then gut votes are as good as any.

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7/20/07

VeraBass

Thanks for the reply, Rich, and also for the comment on my post.
Although ethics are about morality, I believe that breach of the more specifically defined duties (especially fiduciary duty) and obligations that are developed and maintained by those who carry more responsibility for others than most people do, is, by this definition, a greater breach.
I voted.

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1. 7/20/07
  
  Rich
  
  Vera, your summation is very powerful. Thank you.
7/20/07

mobiwan

For some I think it's safe to assume they don't know what ethics are. With others it's greed that gets the better of them, it's always going to be that way. Interesting poll, I submitted!

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7/20/07

marksmatter

Funny mobiwan - been dying to say something similar all evening!

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7/20/07

Norski

Is Hawaii warm?

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7/20/07

marksmatter

Why yes, come to think of it, I believe it is. Hmm...

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7/20/07

Rich

Mobiwan and Marksmatter, thanks much. And I think you're right.

Norski, if you live in Hawaii, you might be breaching ethics with a non-disclosed plus (according to some). HA!

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7/27/07

Rich

As promised, I posted our take on the eight scenarios: three of which clearly breach ethics; three of which have the potential to but have not (that I am aware of); and two that weren't good ideas, but aren't really ethical questions.

copywriteink.blogspot.com/2007/07/ordering-up-ethics-flogs-blogs-and.html

Thanks to everyone who participated and/or commented. I added a link back to this thread as well as highlighting Vera's impactful comment.

All my best, Rich

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7/27/07

Witchywife

I got an e-mail recently from a company which offered to send me a sample product if I would write about it. I responded and said, OK... BUT (1) you have to send me TWO, one to sample, and one to give away to a reader; (2) my review will be honest; and, (3) the fact that the review was solicted will be disclosed.

I never heard back.

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1. 7/27/07
  
  Rich
  
  Perfect.
7/27/07

NINE

Hey Rich, I was actually reading that post earlier today... Really Interesting stuff. I just wanted to give you a much deserved thumbs up on a well thought out and written post.

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1. 7/27/07
  
  Rich
  
  Thanks NINE. I really appreciate it.
7/27/07

sweat1951

Great article as always.

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1. 7/27/07
  
  Rich
  
  Thanks Sweat. I've always been fond of the grandma solution. Glad to see you like it too.
7/27/07

thehappinessblog

Rich,
Ethics.... such a solid but relative concept. I liked your article. I am going to vote.
www.theHAPPINESSblog.com

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