Sounds like a band, doesn't it - And here we have Bloggers and the Law (cue screams) singing their latest ...
Back to reality. There's been a bit of a fuss in the UK about press freedom, and there will be a new regulator but it's very unclear whether it has legal teeth or not.
Surely this has nothing to do with us? We're bloggers; they can't regulate the internet. We might write in the UK but Blogger has its home in the US - so suing is difficult under British Law. But, if it has nothing to do with us, that doesn't mean we shouldn't take notice of the regulations - even if it only means we think more carefully before we write.
Those who write about cooking or gardening or knitting - I've no idea if it's possible to be controversial. It is possible to argue over asparagus?
But writers can get aerated about all sorts of things. We have ideas and opinions and throw them about on our blogs. But that doesn't mean we don't have an ethical responsibility to pay attention to getting facts right, nor the impact our writing might have on people's feelings.
For instance, I think it's fine to complain that a book is full of grammatical errors and spelling mistakes and that this spoiled ones enjoyment. What's not okay is to suggest that the writer spent all day in bed, the evening snorting cocaine and wrote the book at two in the morning as that is the only justification for all the mistakes. We can (and should) challenge the writing but leave the writer's life choices alone.
So - if you agree with that (and you may not) - is it okay to write about one's ex-husband being a lying, cheating bastard who beat you up - when he's a weak man who chases a bit of skirt but has never laid a finger on you? (My ex-husband is none of those things.) Is it okay to suggest one's neighbours might be growing cannabis in the attic on the basis of them flopping about in the garden smoking joints?
We are bloggers. There is nothing to stop us but ethics. And ethics - that is what the new regulations are all about. They might not apply to us. But that does not mean we should have nothing to do with them.
Or do you think the internet is the place where we can, and should, be free to write whatever we like?
There was actually a serious attempt here to try and restrict the freedom of bloggers to make political comments without putting their actual name and address to it -which of course would make them extremely vulnerable in all sorts of ways. The legislation passed but was never signed off by the Governor so did not become law. It has now been withdrawn. I don't think we should take blogging freedom for granted however.
ReplyDeleteI think that, with that freedom to express opinions, comes a responsibility to do so respectfully - to make sure you get facts right, and not allowing strong feelings to become abusive.
DeleteAnd should there be consequences for anyone who does become abusive, or vindictive, and whose job is it to keep us all on the ethical straight and narrow. It's a huge issue!
Everyone has different opinions and I think you have to be careful what you write about.I am not political so would never get into an argument over polics but I have seen some humdingers. My daughter said that on my book blog all my books are rated 3-5 stars she asked me if I've never read a really bad book.The answer is,yes I have but would never waste my time writing a really bad review,I review books I have enjoyed so that others may enjoy them too. I do however point out bits I didn't find so good.You should never intentially hurt anyone even in the cyberspace that is blogging and we shouldn't need regulations to remind us although I accept that some people will. Great post Jo.
ReplyDeleteI think the majority of us agree - we should cherish the freedom of blogging, and use it responsibly. But there will be those who, for whatever reason, don't play nicely - and I'm not at all sure what, if anything, should be done about that.
DeleteI agree with Anne. As long as we don't hurt other people's feelings then we can't go far wrong. But I would like to know who that writer is who spends all day in bed and snorts cocaine!! ;-)
ReplyDeleteSo would I, Ros - (woops, I made him up, he is a figment of my imagination ... have I just broken my own 'rules' ...)
DeleteJo, sometimes I watch YouTube videos and I am appalled at the abusive language and slanderous (or is it libellous - I can never remember) things that people write as comments there. My feeling is that if you can't say something positive or constructive about individuals, don't say it at all. However, I'm not averse to having a mild 'go' at amorphous bodies of people (i.e Brussels bureaucrats, my favourite targets) whose actions ask for criticism on occasion. That being said, yes, we have a responsibility to behave responsibly on the Internet. Unfortunately, there are many who don't, and aggression on the Internet is now the subject of scientific research and PhD papers. I guess it's a matter of time before it's legislated, but for myself, I will find that a sad development. It would be so nice if everyone 'self regulated' their behaviour.
ReplyDeleteI don't see, practically, how they can regulate it, as it would need some sort of international statute, and the UN has other things to worry about. Which makes it all the more important that those of us who come out to play here act responsibly.
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