According to the New York Times:
The Federal Trade Commission will try to regulate blogging…requiring writers on the Web to clearly disclose any freebies or payments they get from companies for reviewing their products.”
Ah, geez. What a hassle. Well, if I have to do it, I guess I have to do it.
The following is the list of companies paying me, or giving me freebies, for reviewing their products:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
I hope I didn’t inadvertently leave any names off the list.
The article goes on to state that:
The commission stopped short of specifying how bloggers must disclose conflicts of interest. The assistant director of the FTC’s advertising practices division said the disclosure must be ”clear and conspicuous,” no matter what form it will take.”
Oh yeah, that’s specific and enforceable. The rules, which take effect December 1, could bring fines of up to $11k per violation. It would cost me twice as much just to have a lawyer take my call to discuss the charges, let alone defend me.
This, of course, doesn’t raise any questions about what exactly a blog is, who a blogger is, or whether or not something published in a different medium that’s also published on the Web is included in this proposed ruling, does it? [sarcasm]
There has got to be bigger issues for the FTC to deal with, no?
Is it just me, or does this law seem to be singling out one communications channel? If so, why? Is social media really that powerful (i.e, “dangerous,” as the FTC might say)?
Do newspapers have to disclose that Company X is (or has been in the past) a paid advertiser whenever they write articles about Company X?
Do TV stations and shows (such as those on CNBC) have to disclose that Company X is an advertiser when they are talking about Company X? “We’ve got a late breaking story on JP Morgan Chase, who, by the way, is an advertiser on this station.”
True, the media is required to disclose ownership positions with companies they cover, but that’s a much different relationship than advertisers.
Could not agree with you more. And how much will the FTC invest in enforcing these new regulations?
I have actually gotten a freebie to review on my site, oddly enough, a book from an author I’d met at a conference. Fun little disclosure right up front, which I figured was just polite.
It’s been a long time, but don’t infomercials have scrolling “paid advertisement” notices along the bottom of the screen? Seems like pretty much the same thing.
This is right up there with charging fees for emails. Here is yet another example of how out of touch the government is in relation to technology and communication mediums. This is so outlandish that it’s funny.