Blogging Ethics - Anonymity, Freedom of Speech vs. the Dark Side Fili An (RA8967172)

Blogging Ethics… Leading directive for Blogging Freedom of Speech, self expression. But, Minimize harm. respect others’ rights.

Leading directive for Blogging Freedom of Speech, self expression.

But,

Minimize harm.

respect others’ rights.

Anonymity / Minimize harm (“to society”) A new type of blog appears in China … an Expat detailing his adventures with Chinese women. http://chinabounder. blogspot .com/

A new type of blog appears in China … an Expat detailing his adventures with Chinese women.

The right to remain anonymous Chinabounder is anonymous, nobody knows who he is, but people were curious. Expats - Some people love it (fan blogs - Chinaboundress), some people despise it, some just don’t care. http://whoischinabounder.blogspot.com/

Chinabounder is anonymous, nobody knows who he is, but people were curious.

Expats - Some people love it (fan blogs - Chinaboundress), some people despise it, some just don’t care.

The Chinese netizens wake up… One day, China unblocks blogspot. The Chinese netizens find out about this blog. A Chinese professor, Zhang Jiehai 张结海 (Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences), calls on his blog for the Chinese Netizens to “ Hunt down the Immoral foreigner ”. Thousands of Netizens re-read the blog to connect small details and find out who the guy is. The HUNT is ON… http://www.zonaeuropa.com/20060828_1.htm

One day, China unblocks blogspot. The Chinese netizens find out about this blog.

A Chinese professor, Zhang Jiehai 张结海 (Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences), calls on his blog for the Chinese Netizens to “ Hunt down the Immoral foreigner ”.

Thousands of Netizens re-read the blog to connect small details and find out who the guy is.

The HUNT is ON…

The ethical dilemma Is what Chinabounder did unethical ? Does Chinabounder have the right to Freedom of speech , maintaining his anonymity and privacy ?

Is what Chinabounder did unethical ?

Does Chinabounder have the right to Freedom of speech , maintaining his anonymity and privacy ?

Another perspective - Israel An extremely popular Israeli blog in Hebrew about an anonymous Tel-Aviv male bachelor sleeping around. His blog is highly controversial. Some girls love his blog, some girls want to take him down.

An extremely popular Israeli blog in Hebrew about an anonymous Tel-Aviv male bachelor sleeping around.

His blog is highly controversial. Some girls love his blog, some girls want to take him down.

The right to anonymity Can she do this? Israeli law – you can’t threaten exposure. An Injunction was issued. http://www.filination.com/blog/2007/05/20/haravak-israels-sex-blogger-scandal-the-israeli-china-bounder/

Can she do this?

Israeli law – you can’t threaten exposure.

An Injunction was issued.

The ethical dilemma Is what The Bachelor did unethical ? Does The Bachelor have the right to Freedom of speech , maintaining his anonymity and privacy ?

Is what The Bachelor did unethical ?

Does The Bachelor have the right to Freedom of speech , maintaining his anonymity and privacy ?

Others’ rights… Jessica Cutler Sex scandals in Washington DC Washingtonienne reveals other people’s secrets using initials. http://washingtoniennearchive.blogspot.com/

Sex scandals in Washington DC

Washingtonienne reveals other people’s secrets using initials.

Big scandal… but also Invasion of Privacy Robert Steinbuch claims he’s the “RS” initials and files a 75,000US$ lawsuit for Invasion of Privacy. “ There are graphic and intimate details which are not true,” he said in a telephone interview. “Those are facts that are going to be litigated.” (wonkette.com)

Robert Steinbuch claims he’s the “RS” initials and files a 75,000US$ lawsuit for Invasion of Privacy.

“ There are graphic and intimate details which are not true,” he said in a telephone interview. “Those are facts that are going to be litigated.” (wonkette.com)

The scary power of the blog(ger)s… Daniel J. Solove : “A Tale of Two Bloggers: Free Speech and Privacy in the Blogosphere” Blogging perceived as tool for freedom, expression, and self-development. But … makes gossip online permanent and widespread. Making it harder to engage in self exploration if every thing is detailed. Ironically, the freedom of information might impede our self-development and freedom. (slightly adjusted to presentation style)

Daniel J. Solove : “A Tale of Two Bloggers: Free Speech and Privacy in the Blogosphere”

Blogging perceived as tool for freedom, expression, and self-development.

But … makes gossip online permanent and widespread.

Making it harder to engage in self exploration if every thing is detailed.

Ironically, the freedom of information might impede our self-development and freedom.

Cutler filed to dismiss the case RS already talked about it in office. By allowing office gossip he waived his privacy rights. How could he have expect to keep it a secret? It’s a personal blog – no body reads it, it’s like writing on a bathroom wall. First amendment – newsworthy for her to share sex-power in DC with the world. http://www.privsecblog.com/archives/blogging-sex-blogger-motion-denied.html Denied “ Public interest”

RS already talked about it in office.

By allowing office gossip he waived his privacy rights.

How could he have expect to keep it a secret?

It’s a personal blog – no body reads it, it’s like writing on a bathroom wall.

First amendment – newsworthy for her to share sex-power in DC with the world.

How’s this going to end… ? Jessica filed for Bankruptcy. HBO and Disney plan a movie/TV-show and received similar lawsuits from RS. Who knows?

Jessica filed for Bankruptcy.

HBO and Disney plan a movie/TV-show and received similar lawsuits from RS.

The ethical dilemma Is what Washingtonienne did unethical ? Does Washingtonienne have the right to Freedom of speech ?

Is what Washingtonienne did unethical ?

Does Washingtonienne have the right to Freedom of speech ?

Summing up, what did we have? Cross cultural perspectives on ethics of blogging: China, China expats, Israel, America. Blogger’s right to “ Freedom of speech ” vs. The Dark Side of blogging - Harming others, harming society, violating others’ privacy. Blogger’s right of anonymity and privacy.

Cross cultural perspectives on ethics of blogging: China, China expats, Israel, America.

Blogger’s right to “ Freedom of speech ” vs. The Dark Side of blogging - Harming others, harming society, violating others’ privacy.

Blogger’s right of anonymity and privacy.

Disclose, be honest and fair Michael Arrington Entrepreneur, investor, writes about IT companies and startups, discloses on invested companies. Does his affiliation influence his writing? Michael : I disclose when I’m involved. Bloggers : You’re –always- involved (e.g. competition).

Michael Arrington

Entrepreneur, investor, writes about IT companies and startups, discloses on invested companies.

Does his affiliation influence his writing?

Michael : I disclose when I’m involved.

Bloggers : You’re –always- involved (e.g. competition).

The blogging ethics debate -2003- Sean-Paul Kelley of the Agonist , admits to Wired that he copied articles and news items from the Stratfor news agency. http://www.wired.com/politics/law/news/2003/04/58346

-2003-

Sean-Paul Kelley of the

Agonist , admits to Wired that he copied articles and news items from the Stratfor news agency.

That’s just wrong, right? It depends who you ask… Against – “It’s so horrible”… “ It’s plain plagiarism ”. “ A blow to blogger credibility”. Larry Pryor/Online Journalism Review - "If they are going to be taken seriously, they have to follow [ethical] rules." For - “Not such a big deal”… “ Blogging is free”. “ This is what blogging is about”. Paul Grabowicz , director at UC Berkeley - "anything goes in Weblogs … I don't think they need to be held to the same standards [as journalists]" http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A63407-2003Apr9.html

It depends who you ask…

Against – “It’s so horrible”…

“ It’s plain plagiarism ”.

“ A blow to blogger credibility”.

Larry Pryor/Online Journalism Review - "If they are going to be taken seriously, they have to follow [ethical] rules."

For - “Not such a big deal”…

“ Blogging is free”.

“ This is what blogging is about”.

Paul Grabowicz , director at UC Berkeley - "anything goes in Weblogs … I don't think they need to be held to the same standards [as journalists]"