Sponsored Blogging vs. Blogging with Integrity

This article in the Los Angeles Times really irked me. I know there are bloggers who buy into the whole “factory food” system. I know this because there are ordinary people who buy the food, and ordinary people who blog. The two groups must overlap at some point.

But megafood producers sending blogging moms on junkets? When did that become part of a marketing budget? Word of mouth has been a time-honored advertising method for about as long as ants have crawled the earth. But at some point, honesty must prevail. If the food that sparks your review was given to you free of charge by its producer, it’s only reasonable to expect that bit of info to appear in your review.  If you are sent on a junket to discover the glorious health benefits of Cocoa Puffs, you should say so.

I want to draw your attention to two things on my blog: First, the statement in bold at the bottom of the “About the Local Nourishment Site” page:

I accept no payment or gifts for the articles which appear on my blog. I do not participate in services providing advertising revenue for the products or programs I profile on my blog.

If, at some point, I accept a payment, gift or free sample that influences a review, I will remove this statement from my “about me” page and it will never return. I feel pretty strongly about that. I also feel strongly about being drawn into a blog page that promises important information and find it to be just another sales pitch. One site using that practice has lost this reader forever.

Second, on the left you will see this badge:

Blog with Integrity realizes there is no one right way to blog, but encourages bloggers to avoid the theft of intellectual property, treat each other with respect, offer full disclosure to our readers and take responsibility for our words.

Here’s the statement I’ve signed:

BLOG with INTEGRITY

By displaying the Blog with Integrity badge or signing the pledge, I assert that the trust of my readers and the blogging community is important to me.

I treat others respectfully, attacking ideas and not people. I also welcome respectful disagreement with my own ideas.

I believe in intellectual property rights, providing links, citing sources, and crediting inspiration where appropriate.

I disclose my material relationships, policies and business practices. My readers will know the difference between editorial, advertorial, and advertising, should I choose to have it. If I do sponsored or paid posts, they are clearly marked.

When collaborating with marketers and PR professionals, I handle myself professionally and abide by basic journalistic standards.

I always present my honest opinions to the best of my ability.

I own my words. Even if I occasionally have to eat them.

That’s what’s on my mind today.