Blog code of conduct triggers backlash

Stephen Withers
Tuesday, 10 April 2007 13:07

Your IT - Home IT

Where did some individuals get the idea it was OK to pepper other people's web sites with invective, threats and coarse language?

When Internet identity Tim O'Reilly proposed a blogger's code of conduct to reduce the unpleasantness, lack of civility and in some cases outright threatening behaviour seen in some blog entries and comments, he got the backing of Jimmy Wales and others, but he also copped a serve of abuse for his efforts.

O'Reilly's opening draft for the code of conduct  included:
1. We take responsibility for our own words and for the comments we allow on our blog.
2. We won't say anything online that we wouldn't say in person.
3. We connect privately before we respond publicly.
4. When we believe someone is unfairly attacking another, we take action.
5. We do not allow anonymous comments.
6. We ignore the trolls.

"Timmy wants a safe place where PR flacks can propagate their lies and VC's get a good return on their foolish investments", commented 'paul'.

'Donna' chimed in with "But now that YOU've gotten rich off the Internet, Mr. O'Reilly, it's apparently time to close the frontier... and keeping the wimminfolk safe is an excuse that's hard to argue with, unless you're a troll."

'tish grier' added "Are you calling for this now only because the incivility has hurt someone you know, Tim? This is a very big place out here, and it would have been very nice if you'd have been part of the civility conversation a bit earlier in the game."

Various bloggers added their two cents worth at their own sites. Read on for some examples.