i was at the IFB adn Chictopia conferences too and I work in digital marketing (read: i also send free shit to bloggers) so these things are especially interesting to me… I come from a music background and the FTC regulations were equally confusing there for other reasons. If I send someone an MP3 and they post it, should they disclose that it came from a publicist? If I send them a CD, does that have “value” above and beyond the actual music files on it? etc, etc… why do magazines not need to disclose when items are serviced by publicists and what does this say about the percieved “authenticity” of the “personal blog?” etc… all of these things get so complicated!

I say I don't consider Pink Rock Candy to be journalistic writing, because I have had the experience of writing hard news pieces. I've been lucky in the fact that I've had amazing journalism professors, and I absorbed a lot from their courses. I do try to try to as you say, write my own “well-formed opinions,” but I do feel they are only opinions based on things I have read or experienced myself. I strive to be a good writer— though, I do find myself writing in circles and often asking more questions than I answer— but, because I do let my biases show, I don't claim to be a journalist. I believe as one, you should be unbiased.

I don't mean to seem ungrateful of the compliment, because I can't say enough how much the opinions of my readers (especially you and others whom I respect) mean to me. I'm completely flattered that you consider my writing journalistic. Maybe it's my self-confidence, but I try to maintain a realistic opinion of my achievements, and for now I simply want to be seen as a wonderful writer and a well-informed fashion designer.

I have to conclude this by saying, Thank you, thank you, Janine!

I think it can work to maintain integrity if you receive free gifts and product to review. If I pay out of pocket for something expensive and it doesn't meet my expectations, I might give it a worse review than if I'd received it free of charge. As someone in the lower-middle-class bracket (respectfully, at 23 and away from the nest), my frugality could hurt the review, even though the price might be totally acceptable for the audience I'm writing to. If I reviewed only free products, I think my reviews would be much more fair. When doing those reviews I always ask myself, 'Would I pay full price for this?' and include that in my article.

I also think that it shows a lot of integrity and proves to your readers that you're for real when you can say, “I received this product for free but I can't stand it and would never buy it.”

No-gift rules are for people with wishy-washy ethics from the get-go, in my opinion. If you respect your readers and your craft, you'll do fine with or without gifts or sponsors.

Blogging doesn't pay by itself. Some people do advertising,, some direct sponsors. I think that accepting swag is probably the least scandalous way you can be 'paid' by your blog.

I agreed that blogging is so broad that creating and enforcing one standardized set of ethics wpuld be nearly impossible, but I don't think it would be a terrible idea if groups of like-minded bloggers came together, created, and published their “code of ethics.” It might be a step in the right direction, and it might inspire other bloggers to do something similar. It definitely starts with making a conscious decision to have consistent behavior, but progress can always be made.

It, too, annoys me when bloggers liken themselves to magazine editors, especially when they have never worked in the industry. Magazines, newspapers, and other forms of traditional media are completely different beasts, hence the reason blogging ethics is a topic of conversation. It's also really demeaning to magazines because many times the implication is that they are acting in an inappropriate manner, making it ok for bloggers to do so as well.

Anyway, I could probably ramble on and talk in circles about this topic forever. Thanks for the correction (such a fail on my part).

I don't think a code of ethics can be written at this time. There are too many different goals for different blogs to generalize (though any fashion NEWS blog should never accept anything, ever). My recommendation is to make a conscious decision — don't just drift into some form of behavior — and disclose anything that a reasonable bystander might think would color your commentary.

One thing I would like to insist bloggers do is to stop whining, “But magazines do it.” (Many of them say that without having any first-hand experience with magazine life.) That is not a good rationalization for any sort of behavior. Bloggers should make their own decisions and stick to it without hiding behind their fantasy of behavior at Conde Nast.