Starting December 1, bloggers, Tweeters, and any other form of online product review must now disclose whether or not the products they're reviewing were given to them for free.
Some feel that this new regulation is a compliment to the blogging community... albeit a backhanded one. While they'd rather not be policed, some regulation does imply they're being taken more seriously as real journalists.
However, the majority of the bloggers affected by this new rule are quite upset... and offended.
The most insulting aspect of the rule is that it doesn't apply to print publications or even their online counterparts. It singles out bloggers like they're somehow less trustworthy and credible than print journalists who incidentally, receive way more "gifts" than the bloggers this rule is targeted towards.
To me, the FTC is just concerned about blogging because it's new and scary to them. Readers of fashion and beauty blogs are not stupid... WE KNOW most of these products are gifted. The FTC should give us a little more credit.
But if it makes them feel better, then fine. I don't see this rule making any sort of noticeable impact on product review bloggers.
However, it would've been nice if their PR department had found a way to announce this rule with a little more tact... Bloggers have feelings too.
However, it would've been nice if their PR department had found a way to announce this rule with a little more tact... Bloggers have feelings too.
For more info on the story, read New F.T.C. rule Has Bloggers and Twitterers Mulling by Kayleen Schaefer
This is a very controversial ruling. I am writing a feature story on food blogging in the Austin, Texas area and I find this topic fascinating and extremely relevant.
ReplyDeleteAfter interviewing a local food blogger, I was made aware that getting free meals just goes along with the hobby. Restaurant owners, as with any owner of a business, want their name blasted over cyberspace and blogging does help with that.
I think it may be covering smart ground to mention whether the authors of these blogs were paid or given gifts before promoting a product. However, I do not think it is critical to the readership of such blogs. Blog followers will only be disheartened to find that a personal recommendation has just become a commercial one. This loses credibility for the author and reveals a less authentic blog post.
I feel this ruling may be damaging to the world of blogging; a world where, now, not anything goes.