Re: FTC and blogging

**n* k* <n*@att.net>**

For those who need the FTC's Cliff Notes Version, here's the press release:  http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/10/endortest.shtm

"The revised Guides specify that while decisions will be reached on a case-by-case basis, the post of a blogger who receives cash or in-kind payment to review a product is considered an endorsement...The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them." 

This shouldn't be a big deal.  It's a matter of ethics.  And, it's a matter of consumer protection.  A blogger who writes about the splendors of specific prescription medications (and receives payment or product in return), should disclose that info--the ruling is not just intended for garden writers.  

Most editorial staff at newspapers and magazines have followed (one would hope) that policy for years--thus, the "advertorials" that appear as supplements--not quite editorials, not quite ads but the reader typically knows its not typical editorial content. 

Joe Lamp'l is sponsored by Fiskars and he makes that very clear in his presentations and on his Web site and that's how it should be -- the reader knows there's a sponsorship involved.  

The FTC is not going to be hounding bloggers because it doesn't have the resources to do that. Unless of course, someone files a complaint.  

--- On Mon, 10/5/09, Kathy Purdy <kopurdy@gmail.com> wrote:

From: Kathy Purdy <kopurdy@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [GWL] FTC and blogging
To: "Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden Writers Forum" <gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org>
Date: Monday, October 5, 2009, 7:47 PM

I had heard this was coming down the pike. But 81 pages of regulations! ugh.
If anyone finds a trustworthy synopsis of it, please let us all know. And
while I don't have any problem with stating when I've received a free
product, I thought the comments posted on the first link below were quite
apt. So I'm required by law now to state that Proven Winners gave me those
plants for free, but Better Homes and Gardens is not required? I wonder what
was the impetus for these regulations?

On Mon, Oct 5, 2009 at 8:15 PM, jo ellen meyers sharp <
hoosiergardener@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

>
> http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/lit_crit/ftc_blogger_rules_carry_11k_fines__139253.asp
>
>
> http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/original/091005endorsementguidesfnnotice.pdf
> --
> Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
>

-- 
Kathy Purdy
Cold Climate Gardening: providing the information you need
to succeed in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 and colder.
http://www.coldclimategardening.com
Blogging Art and Practice: YourBlogHelper.com
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