* image of blog that contains vulgar language and defaming comments*(picture sourced from http://zeemi.blogspot.com/2005_08_01_archive.html)
Defaming on Blogs
Blogs are typically known as online diaries and people can write whatever they want on their blogs as it is their rights. However, some people misuse this right and things can turn for the worse when this happens. Although blogs are not liable for their comments, it does not mean that everything you say in your blog and get away with it. According to Walter Olson(2007) you can be sued for defamation for your comments on your blog. However, the blog site provider is not liable for whatever comments being made on its user’s blogs. We have to carefully choose our words and expressions on blogs because written text does not show emotions- it might lead to misenterpretation. I have experienced this very often as I like to twist my words and using words as emotions. However, the effect might not as good as I thought it would be. Thus, it is very important to choose your words and try not to offend anyone that might be concerned about what you write.
Article on liable cases http://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/pdf.opinions/06-1826-01A.pdf
Ethics On Blogging
Often there are many rules on how to blog with ethics. Even in college blogs there are rules being implemented for students to keep the college blogs free of problems. In Walsh College (2008), there are a few rules to follow when blogging on the college blog such as; staying on topic, no abusing, no defaming, no harassing, no spamming and no copyrighted material is allowed on the blog. Failure to follow the rules will ultimately result in banning. According to Andy ETAL (2005), taking into people’s feelings into account is also part of blogging ethics. We cannot publish posts that will hurt people’s feelings and by doing so will help us maintain proper blogging ethics. Actually people on average try to avoid sensitive topics that concern other people. Defaming is actually not a trait that everyone wants to have and people actually want to talk about themselves more than other people.
Frauds on Blogsites
* image of an article concerning the easily acquired .edu blogsite*
(picture sourced from http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2008/04/linkadage-selling-edu-blog-space.htm)
There is a reason as to why people are always being warned not to trust everything that is being posted or written online. There are people out there just to trick you into trusting them and sometimes you don’t only lose money- you might get into trouble for it. There is one such case that even ‘.edu’ websites can be used on blogs. Ian Lurie (2008) said that LinkAdage Auctions and Pickering Institute have teamed up to offer blog space on an .edu domain for rent. Yes, you don’t even have to be a school to acquire such a license. It is pretty simple actually, you just have to pay a rent and you get ‘.edu’ on your blog without the need of even as much as going to school. Fearsome as the world has become as to how money can influence anything- almost everything. So dont take for granted that every '.edu' website u visit is actually a valid source of information!The website can be found at http://blogs.pi.edu/
Personal Thoughts
Sometimes I think one might make the mistake of presuming that what he writes is clearly expressing his feelings. Which is not entirely true because written texts lack emotions and sometimes the wrong message might be put across which may cause misunderstanding. According to Jeremy Wright (2006) even he got into disputes in blogs because of misinterpretation of the texts. I myself have experienced something of sort and things can turn for the worse when different cultures clash. Choosing my words with the outmost care is important to keep me and the readers of my blogs happy.
Reference
Olsen, W 2007, Blogs not liable for their commenters, Overlawyered, viewed on 12 June 2008, http://overlawyered.com/2007/02/blogs-not-liable-for-their-commenters/
Walsh College Blog Rules, Walsh College, viewed on 12 June 2008, http://www.walshcollege.edu/walshblogs/WalshBlogs.aspx
Koh,A & Lim,A & Detenber,B & Cenite,M 2005, Introduction, Ethics in Blogging, viewed on 12 June 2008, http://www3.ntu.edu.sg/sci/sirc/workingpapers/Blog%20Ethics.pdf
Lurie,I 2008, LinkAdage Selling .EDU Blog Space: It’s Evil, Conversation Marketing, viewed on 12 June 2008, http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2008/04/linkadage-selling-edu-blog-space.htm
Wright,J 2006, Text Is An Awful Medium, Blog Marketing, viewed on 12 June 2008
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