One of the most unfortunate aspects of Armenian blogs is the reluctance that many bloggers have in following what can be considered to be common courtesy and standard blogging etiquette. Rather than link to a site providing source material to blog about — including media outlets as well as other blogs — on their own sites, some bloggers instead act as though they discovered it on their own.

Others don’t identify sources simply because they want to take all the credit and there are many other issues as well, including an all-out war between some bloggers and those making comments which might actually border on the need to take legal action. It’s one of the reasons why Observer and I are interested in developing a code of ethics for Armenian bloggers.

And as this problem exists among other bloggers too, it’s also why they’ve gotten there before us. There’s even a blog set up on the subject, Blogging Ethics. Via that site, for example, I discovered two ideas for a code of blogging ethics — one from Rebecca’s Pocket, and another from CyberJournalist.Net:

Be Honest and Fair

Bloggers should be honest and fair in gathering, reporting and interpreting information. Bloggers should:

• Never plagiarize.

• Identify and link to sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources’ reliability.

• Make certain that Weblog entries, quotations, headlines, photos and all other content do not misrepresent. They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context.

• Never distort the content of photos without disclosing what has been changed. Image enhancement is only acceptable for for technical clarity. Label montages and photo illustrations.

• Never publish information they know is inaccurate — and if publishing questionable information, make it clear it’s in doubt.

• Distinguish between advocacy, commentary and factual information. Even advocacy writing and commentary should not misrepresent fact or context.

• Distinguish factual information and commentary from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two.

Minimize Harm

Ethical bloggers treat sources and subjects as human beings deserving of respect. Bloggers should:

• Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by Weblog content. Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjects.

• Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief.

• Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of information is not a license for arrogance.

• Recognize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than do public officials and others who seek power, influence or attention. Only an overriding public need can justify intrusion into anyone’s privacy.

• Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity.

• Be cautious about identifying juvenile suspects, victims of sex crimes and criminal suspects before the formal filing of charges.

Be Accountable

Bloggers should:

• Admit mistakes and correct them promptly.

• Explain each Weblog’s mission and invite dialogue with the public over its content and the bloggers’ conduct.

• Disclose conflicts of interest, affiliations, activities and personal agendas.

• Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist their pressure to influence content. When exceptions are made, disclose them fully to readers.

• Be wary of sources offering information for favors. When accepting such information, disclose the favors.

• Expose unethical practices of other bloggers.

• Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others.

Anyway, it is unlikely that bloggers can and will sign up to a code of ethics given the nature of the blogosphere, but I think that those which do follow some very basic and logical rules which are pretty much as much an issue of morality as well, they will gain more credibility and thus, more readers and more back links (vital for search engines).

Personally, I think it’s about time that all Armenian bloggers followed such practices — from linking to other blogs where information was first found to identifying bias or affiliation. Artur (and other bloggers) what do you think? Moreover, if a blogger shows no inclination to follow what I consider to be a matter of common decency what should happen next?

My gut reaction is that bias is not so much of an issue as we can always post alternative views when quoting from such posts. However, in the case of plagiarism or stealing ideas or stories from other blogs, I’m tempted not to link to such sites until they either change their approach or have something so exclusive that it’s worth quoting from regardless.