Bloggers and Readers Need a Code of Conduct

I think and also agreed that both bloggers and readers need a Code of Conduct. What do you think ? Do you think that bloggers and readers need a code of conduct ? Do you want reader to read your blog and give comments regarding what you post or just put some spam into your comment ? Or bloggers with no ethic, just post what they like and make personal attack ?

Blogger Michelle Quek, who was flamed by readers of her blog, and doesn't know why, feels there should be a code of conduct, but will anyone care?

Bloggers need a code of conduct, be it formalised or unwritten.

And that will be a step towards keeping out 'cyber-bullying', said bloggers interviewed by Digital Life.

Some prominent leaders in the online world, including founder of Wikipedia Jimmy Wales, well-known blogger Robert Scoble (of the blog Scobleizer) and Tim O' Reilly, who coined the term 'Web 2.0', have been pushing for something to be done, after what is now known as the Kathy Sierra incident.

Earlier in March, game developer and programming instructor Kathy Sierra began receiving death threats on her blog from critics of her opinions. One of them even had a picture of Ms Sierra next to a noose.

Other threats were sexually graphic.

At that time, she wrote: 'I have cancelled all speaking engagements. I am afraid to leave my yard, I will never feel the same.'

The severity of the situation made many empathise, but, more importantly, made them believe it was time for a code of conduct to be created.

Will such a code work in Singapore?

About a month ago, Miss Michelle Quek, 18, also found herself the victim of Internet flaming.

The student still doesn't know why some 300 people on a forum took offence at her postings of her daily life, which resulted in some 10,000 or more diatribes against her.

Miss Quek said, 'Somehow, there is a need for a code of conduct. But, seriously, I don't think anyone will care.'

Undergraduate Putu Setiawan, who moderates all the comments on his blog, said that because 'a code is self-imposed, it is completely up to the bloggers to apply it to their blogs'.

Junior college student Liselle Law, 17, added that 'suggested blogging etiquette can be published, but I don't think it should be so rigid and have bloggers follow it almost like the law'.

But she was concerned that a code of conduct would 'take away the satisfaction from blogging'.

She added: 'I would feel like I am restricted to only being able to write certain things and that I would always have to watch what I say.'

The chairman of the new Advisory Council on the Impact of New Media on Society, Mr Cheong Yip Seng, says the code of conduct would be 'good to have, but I'm not holding my breath'.

Mr Cheong, whose council intends to research into this space, said that 'an attempt should be made' at such a code, and that it 'is worth pursuing at some point'.