The New York Times chimes in on a call for a blogger code of conduct:
Mr. O’Reilly and Mr. Wales talk about creating several sets of guidelines for conduct and seals of approval represented by logos. For example, anonymous writing might be acceptable in one set; in another, it would be discouraged. Under a third set of guidelines, bloggers would pledge to get a second source for any gossip or breaking news they write about.
Bloggers could then pick a set of principles and post the corresponding badge on their page, to indicate to readers what kind of behavior and dialogue they will engage in and tolerate. The whole system would be voluntary, relying on the community to police itself.
“If it’s a carefully constructed set of principles, it could carry a lot of weight even if not everyone agrees,” Mr. Wales said.
The code of conduct already has some early supporters, including David Weinberger, a well-known blogger (hyperorg.com/blogger) and a fellow at the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard Law School. “The aim of the code is not to homogenize the Web, but to make clearer the informal rules that are already in place anyway,” he said.
But as with every other electrically charged topic on the Web, finding common ground will be a serious challenge. Some online writers wonder how anyone could persuade even a fraction of the millions of bloggers to embrace one set of standards. Others say that the code smacks of restrictions on free speech.
Tim O’Riley has a draft of the code available here.
Jason Kottke has some thoughts, particularly on the comment regulations within the recent proposals.
John Welch is less than gentle in his picking apart of the code.
As I’ve said before, most of the bloggers who would sign onto such a set of guidelines already voluntarily follow them. By creating a code of conduct and subscribing to it, you are opening yourself up to greater regulation. Sure it’s voluntary now, but what’s to stop the government from stepping in and using such guidelines as the basis of laws or FEC regulation (as was almost faced this last election cycle)?
PS – Another thing Kottke points out is the long (personally) forgotten Blogger Code. Mine: B9 d- t- k+ s+ u f i o x e l c–
425p UPDATE: It may be an event that started in the techblogs, but poliblogs are paying attention as well. The way of the blogosphere, blogging started as techblogging, led to poliblogging, and now is used for any number of things. Its trends, both good and bad, tend to follow the same path.
Aside from that, Ann Althouse makes a good point:
Now that I think about it, the NYT really has an interest in siding with the blog-o-niceness movement. Bloggers are a threat to the Times in part because we can do so many things that a mainstream newspaper can’t. So wouldn’t it be great if we were stuck with their standards? Stop being vicious and wild! Write like the NYT, and maybe people will just read the NYT.
Memorandum also shows a lot of folks talking about the NYT article.
626p UPDATE: I’m not the only Virginia blogger noticing: Waldo has his thoughts here.