An Associated Press item in the local newspaper caught my eye yesterday. It stated that the Federal Trade Commission is expected to approve guidelines this summer to clarify that the agency can go after bloggers -- and the companies that compensate them -- for false claims or failure to disclose conflicts of interest.
And here I thought that blogging was all about expressing one's honest opinions. Apparently, according the FTC, some bloggers are being rewarded for some less-than-honest opinions.
Sort of reminiscent of the instances of the past few years when commentators were found to be on the government payroll and television stations were airing government propaganda designed to look like news.
As ever, money corrupts.
Don’t Be a Meeting Wanderer
4 years ago
Saw that. Not sure what to make of it. I haven't really had this problem - so far the most I've been sent is some Clipper logo keychains. My feeling is that any conscientious blogger would inform his/her readership of any compensation or consideration he/she was receiving, and then hopefully provide an honest assessment.
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