Do I Need a Disclosure Policy?
Jan 29th, 2009 by Capsun
Last night, as I was reading my Twitter stream (my inbox of Tweets from micro-blogging service Twitter), one person’s username jumped out at me: @Ohana_Mama. So much so that I read her profile and decided to visit her blog at http://www.ohanamamablog.com/. She was a mommy blogger – some of the best, most passionate of the bloggers in the blogosphere. But what made me really take notice was a disclosure policy at the bottom of the blog.
Then I got to thinking, Should I have a disclosure policy at Capsun’s Corner? Honestly, I think I do a pretty good job disclosing any conflicts of interest, or appearances of conflict of interest, on my blog. Just yesterday, when I wrote about Holunape, I was sure to note that I know Kekoa and Kama personally. But my interest had been piqued, so I followed Sarah’s (the aforementioned @Ohana_Mama) link to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org, a site that helps bloggers craft their own disclosure policies.
After going through their quick-and-easy, six-step process, here was my recommended disclosure policy:
This policy is valid from 29 January 2009
This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact c@capsun.org.
This blog does not accept any form of advertising, sponsorship, or paid insertions. We write for our own purposes. However, we may be influenced by our background, occupation, religion, political affiliation or experience.
The compensation received will never influence the content, topics or posts made in this blog. All advertising is in the form of advertisements generated by a third party ad network. Those advertisements will be identified as paid advertisements.
The owner(s) of this blog is not compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog owners. If we claim or appear to be experts on a certain topic or product or service area, we will only endorse products or services that we believe, based on our expertise, are worthy of such endorsement. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider.
This blog does contain content which might present a conflict of interest. This content will always be identified.
To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org
While I like and appreciate the official tone to it all, I’m not convinced I see the need to do this. Again, I normally make it a point to disclose any conflicts. And, I don’t really review products, although I do promote businesses I appreciate. Finally, it is called Capsun’s Corner: A daily dose of my take on things… I think that automatically tells people these are my opinions, and you can take them, leave them, agree with them, or disagree with them. It is your First Amendment right to freedom of speech.
So what do you think? Should I implement this disclosure policy? Or are my current efforts at disclosure sufficient?
Mahalo!
While I don’t have one on my blog yet, I intend to put up privacy, disclosure and comment policy pages.
I have intended to do that for months now
I think one sentence disclosures in context are fine. That’s basically what I do.
Some ad providers insist on disclosure policies. If I ever get my ads up, I may need one. For now, I am certain folks know not to take anything at my place too seriously.
Your blog, however, tackles serious issues. Even so, I think you do an excellent job of disclosing your associations and possible bias. And, as your said, your blog name clarifies that it is a personal blog. That your opinion is contained therein shouldn’t have to be stated.
Remember Capsun… It’s your blog. Do WTF you want with it and don’t let anyone tell you anything differently.
I only have one sponsor… I recently put a parody image of Lingle on my blog that I got from another blog.
Someone reading my blog, contacted my “sponsor” and told him about the image of lingle dressed in a “Nazi” outfit. My sponsor, thankfully understands the internet enough to realize that by him placing an ad on my site… I would not change the way I blog or what I blog about.
He also understands that it’s a blog and not a paper so disclosures really aren’t needed.
Just remember… it’s your blog and you do what you want.
Good question. I don’t have a disclosure statement but I do have a very long disclaimer. http://dkseto.wordpress.com/disclaimer/
When people associate where you work, with what you personally write, problems can occur.
For example, a respected blogger quoted at length from a post I did on legislative salaries. He identified me as being the head of the division I work for (another public agency). Although it is true that I am the Division Head, what I wrote was on my own personal blog and may not reflect the views of the agency I am at.
Yet, identifying where I work at may have given people a false impression. Although I am sure the blogger did not intentionally mean to do this, I have to be aware of the effects of this when it happens.
So do you.
As they used to say on Hill Street Blues: ‘Let’s be careful out there.’
Aloha – Dan
I just figured out a disclosure if/when I ever do put one on:
“This is my blog… if you don’t like what I am posting…don’t read it. I won’t pull the trigger holding you to my blog… I promise”
I like Damon’s attitude! I’ll have to wander over there and check it out!
I think it depends on what your goals are… re: what kind of info and persona you are trying to present. I think I hear Robbie’s voice saying something about, “if it gets out, will it be harmful? If so, be sure to disclose it up front.”
So I’d do a disclosure, it can be an unobtrusive link, but put it somewhere so the compliance wonks can find it and be happy. It won’t matter to most people unless they have a question about your credibility that may be affected by what you disclose. If they find there is no disclosure, your credibility is already damaged. Much better to disclose and not have to defend yourself after the fact.
…2¢… from one compliance wonk…
I also like Damon’s last comment. What has become of our society that makes one even think that blogs have to have a disclosure statement. I guess it keeps the lawyers/attorneys busy with a job. I think the less mumbo jumbo you have to have to clutter your blog is the best.
I have also noticed that you always state your facts clearly and matter of factly.
Just keep up the great blogging Capsun
Personally, I think disclosure statements are a great idea, and thank you, Capsun, for providing the link. I added one to http://www.allhawaiinews.com . I think disclosure statements are necessary in this brave new world where Joe Blow’s basement blog can look every bit as professional — and often more so — than the Web site of what we had always taken for granted as the mainstream media that, while not unbiased, at least had biases in known directions. Also, even if someone doesn’t post their disclosure statements, at least going through the exercise helps them realize the great responsibility they have shouldered when they enter the publishing business. My thoughts, FWIW.
damon: I don’t have the guts.
Sid, quilly, damon, Dan, laurelle, Thom, and Nancy: Thank you for all your feedback!
Since the beginning of my blog over at WordPress.com, I’ve had this on my About Capsun page:
“Please note: The views expressed here are mine and mine alone. While I am employed by and affiliated with organizations and individuals, permission has neither been asked nor granted to write on the topics discussed here.”
I’m going to compromise with everyone a bit. I’m going to keep that statement on my About Capsun page, but I will also append it to any post that might comment on anything that might be construed as a statement by my employer.
At least for now, that is. I’ll probably re-evaluate in a few weeks or months to see if I need to make it clearer. Or when I get a call from my boss.
Aloha! It’s Sarah from Ohana Mama. I do A TON of reviews and features and giveaways so I wanted to cover my bootie – meaning everything is my opinion, not manufacturers instructions etc.
I wasn’t sure if anyone even read the disclaimer…I guess they do! Can never be too safe, I suppose.
Thanks for visiting Ohana Mama! Sarah