Comments on: FTC and Bloggers: What does it mean for you?

By: What Does New FTC Guidelines Really Mean For Bloggers and Affiliates?

What Does New FTC Guidelines Really Mean For Bloggers and Affiliates? — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:21:20 +0000

[...] A mommy blogger’s perspective [...]

By: Barbara Platt

Barbara Platt — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:24:12 +0000

I am just getting started and I don’t want any questions about ethics lurking about my blog.
I worked at several newspapers, and know for a fact that reporters get freebies all the time. I also know reporters that had to be careful about what was written about advertisers, because the paper didn’t want to lose their business.
The government only has to look in their own back yard to clean up unethical practices. I think most bloggers are far more honest than the politicians who are making the rules and governing the laws.

By: Eastwick Communications » Blog Archive » New FTC Guidelines

Eastwick Communications » Blog Archive » New FTC Guidelines — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:33:15 +0000

[...] on company time, but I do look forward to a bit of Darwin’s Theory kicking in. Several of our favorites see it the same way, realizing this will give them some of the credibility they themselves crave [...]

By: Firefly

Firefly — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:32:31 +0000

I don’t know what the problem is really. I disclose, not that I have many reviews those days. But I do disclose even when I talk about a product I just bought and like it…or not!

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:02:53 +0000

As a family and review and giveaway blog my wife and I are fine with the disclosure. If people are blogging ethically this should not be a problem for them to do. Not that big of a deal or a surprise to me. Thanks for the great article.

By: nicole

nicole — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:04:47 +0000

here’s the link to the ACTUAL rules/guides (heresy?) that they want everyone to follow. I did a post on it today after finally reading thru all of it and shaking my head in wonder at the stupidity of givernment (ie just when you dont think it can get nay worse).

basically, yes the freshmen (bloggers) are being picked on and the jrs and srs get free rides0 thats ride NO extra regulation applying to other media- they’re taking the tack that all swag from paid trips goes to the newspaper/tv/radio company (right……believe that one and I’ve got some swampland in CA to sell ya).

my worry is that they basically want review items returned, or they will start considering us individual contractors being compensated (via the free stuff) and owing taxes on said merch and swag. THATS where it will grind things to a halt. most of us arent in this for the money and if we’re being penalized on our already stretched budgets, then we’ll all have to rethink what we do on our blogs….

oy vey is the best i can come up with- until somebody gives the FTC a brain- where’s the scarecrow when you need him>???

By: Jenn @ FFP

Jenn @ FFP — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 03:29:44 +0000

I don’t know what media outlets FTC regulations apply to but my local paper has been placing lengthy notices in their classified section about “not knowingly” publishing anything illegal or unethical. (I think they may be talking about scams). It’s very long and obviously written in legal’ease so I’m sure it’s enough to cover their assets!

Wouldn’t it be nice if there were a legal dept for all bloggers??? Then we could just place a phone call or email without having to make heads or tails of a lot of legal mumbo jumbo!

By: Louise

Louise — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:43:31 +0000

I read the rules and there are a few things I don’t get but the funniest thing is that they have changed the rules for Movie stars as well. They are required to disclose all free items and payments for products except in an “ad”

I can’t wait until I see some Actors saying, I was paid to say I love it, I got it from Vera Wang herself. I mean it’s ridiculous in a way, I say yes we need to disclose but come on, how far do we all have to go.

Magazine writers do not say, this company brought me out to this resort and let me stay the weekend so that I could write a review and they took me to this restaurant where I just loved my food.

I was reading on someone’s blog where all review journalists have to return the items, I know that’s not true. I’m sure some of them do depending on what it is, but if that were the case then “mommy review blogging” would not exist. I didn’t used to have an opinion on this. I thought, we just need to be honest and I suppose that is the point, but I think it’s gone just a little too far. I think I need to write my own blog post because I have a LOT to say

By: Shan @ Last Shreds Of Sanity

Shan @ Last Shreds Of Sanity — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:27:13 +0000

You know I have always disclosed if I was paid for a post (one time, with a gift card to Target) and if I received a product to review. What I don’t get is what, exactly, they want us to say. If I am writing a review and say, “Company X sent me product Y to test out” is that good enough, or do the FTC and the blogging police want EVERY detail?

This could be a good thing, but it could also turn out badly. VERY BADLY. We all know how nasty some bloggers can be, especially those who demand integrity but won’t practice what they preach.

The jury is still out on this one for me. The FTC could just become very arbitrary with their fines and punishments, much like Google’s page ranking system. I am not at all sure this will become an across the board, fairness for all thing.

By: Brandy

Brandy — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:23:35 +0000

I am confused why it’s all of a sudden an “issue” because most of the blogs I read, including myself, disclose that so and so gave them this product for review and most sites have a disclosure policy in their footer or included in their menu bar. I am thinking the new rule won’t really affect the majority of us, but it will deter those who are seeking to get into the scene simply for free products. The work behind product reviews is so intense that it’s more than “just getting free stuff” .. just my opinion.