Bloggers Code of Conduct
"Don't speak-- point," seems to be the modus operandi of many mailing lists and weblogs. Isn't it better attention economics to share such information through the del.icio.us' network feature or other social bookmaking and referral systems? Let me point you, however, to a few links surrounding the recent discussion on Tim O'Reilly's "Bloggers Code of Conduct" triggered by death threats against the blogger Kathy Sierra. If you did not come across this conversation yet, get a speedy introduction here:
- Death threats against bloggers are NOT "protected speech" (why I cancelled my ETech presentations)
- CNN Video
- Exclusive Interview About Free Speech Video
Cyberbullying is the term used to refer to bullying and harassment by use of electronic devices though means of e-mail, instant messaging, text messages, blogs, mobile phones, pagers, and websites. "Bullying on the sociable web" may be a better term as "cyber" sounds really all too 80s. And Kathy Sierra is surely not alone. Jeneane Sessum reports 11,000 results for Google search results on her name and death threats. And bullying is hardly limited to the WWW.
- Jeneane Sessum
Now, Google spits out 139,000 results for a search on the "Bloggers Code of Conduct." Tim O'Reilly wrote, “Yes, you own your own words. But you also own the tone that you allow on any blog or forum you control. Part of 'owning your own words' is owning the effects of your behavior and the editorial voice you foster. And when things go awry, acknowledge it.”
After the NYT and BBC responded, O'Reilly quickly grabbed his credit card and bought http://www.bloggingcode.org/. Being the first means that you own the conversation. Jimmy Wales joined O'Reilly in setting up a wiki on the topic. O'Reilly suggested, “the idea of sites posting their code of conduct might gain some traction given some easily deployed badges pointing to a common set of guidelines.” Badges? A-list certificates?
In the United States it is a federal crime to anonymously "annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any person" via the internet or telecommunication system, punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment." But it's not always easy for an individual to track down a bully online.
I think that bullying is definitely not just limited to blogs. It appears online and off. It is mainly focused on youth and often targets young women. Trolls sometimes harass people writing on mailing lists. Online visibility may also attract stalkers. I'd be curious what you think about the actual proposed guidelines. What can be done to stop bullying on the sociable web (and beyond it)?
-Trebor
- Code of Conduct Wiki
1. Responsibility for our own words, 2. Nothing we wouldn't say in person, 3. Connect privately first 4. Take action against attacks 5. a) No anonymous comments OR b) No pseudonymous comments 6. Ignore the trolls 7. Encourage enforcement of terms of service 8. Keep our sources private 9. Discretion to delete comments 10. Do no harm
- Tim O'Reilly's Draft
- BBC
- Guardian
- NYT
O'Reilly is surely not the first to consider ethical guidelines for the sociable web.
- EFF: Legal Guide for Bloggers
- Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics
- Blogher Community Guidelines
http://wiki.nethique.info/wiki/Nethic_Charter_for_blogs
More comments:
- David Weinberger argues for multiple codes of conduct
- danah boyd about cyberbullying
- Linda Stone
http://blogher.org/node/17319
http://blogher.org/node/12104
Not on board:
- Bloggers Code of Conduct - Please NO!
- Civility my arse
[Trebor]
Post a Comment
View Printer Friendly Version
Email Article to Friend
Reader Comments