Comments on: Balanced, fair and fun: TheseBoots aims to blog with integrity

By: Deb

Deb — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 04:24:11 +0000

Julie, as a “follower” I like your disclosure statement. It’s clear and reflects your integrity. Do you need more? Honestly, I’d trust your judgement, which is why I read what you write.

By: boomergirl

boomergirl — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:19:02 +0000

Read your latest, including disclosure. I have no intention of shying away from stating in http://roadstories.ca/ that we work with the Canadian tourism industry. If someone doesn’t like that we do, they have the choice to go elsewhere in the blogosphere. Personally, I think experts in the travel world whether they’re media, PR pros, or travel trade reps have incredible knowledge that’s worth sharing with others. This is our industry! I blog and photograph about things in Canada that interest me. In the twenty years we’ve been in the biz have we worked with some of destinations we write about? Of course!

By: @toddlucier

@toddlucier — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 12:26:57 +0000

I’d prefer NOT to see disclaimers in travel media. It all boils down to who your ideal readers are and whether or not they care. I don’t assume that a paid gig is going to get favorable treatment that overlooks the undesirable aspects of any travel experience (it wouldn’t from me).

I’ve hosted both complimentary visits from travel media and visits from those who have behaved just like everyone else (not disclosing that they were media) and then written about our experiences. At some level they were being compensated for writing the story.

I agree with Boris, it really spoils the sense of romance dropping a disclaimer in a story. If it has to be anywhere, disclaimers should indeed only be on the about page of the blog.

I wonder what that means for folks in the U.S. who may have their post feeds syndicated elsewhere? Compliance with impending legislation?

By: Evelyn Hannon

Evelyn Hannon — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:44:31 +0000

It actually annoys me to read travel articles which begin with messages about the fact that the writers were subsidized and even though they were subsidized they are still telling the full truth. It spoils the romance of the story for me. It’s a bit like seeing an actor before the show without his stage makeup on. Surely by now my Journeywoman readers know that my trips are being paid for and I also hope that by now they know I try to tell the truth when I write. Besides, we all understand that all you need to do is write one ‘good’ review about a ‘not so good’ place and in the eyes of your readers you’ve lost your credibility.

By: Boris Mann

Boris Mann — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 19:16:58 +0000

Who cares?

No, seriously – who cares? What audience will care? Because mostly, it will be people with an axe to grind that want to take you down a peg.

Do good writing. Have integrity. If you feel the need to plaster your site with disclosure notices … well, that just puts THAT discussion front and center.

By: Andrea - 2010vanfan

Andrea - 2010vanfan — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 03:09:51 +0000

I am new to writing for public consumption and have started asking myself the questions that Julie poses. So far, I have been too worried about damaging the integrity that I’m building with my readers to even consider approaching the issue of complimentary or sponsored activities. However, it gets expensive to pay for it all myself, and as I do not have advertising on my site (to prevent any conflict with IOC and VANOC regulations) it makes everything a very expensive, though loved, endeavour.
If a company or organisation invites me along to their venue to write about it, do I have to say more than that? How do I ensure that I am being as ethical as possible without providing an accounting list on each of my blogs (how dull!). It’s a murky world and I’m still in the shallow end… the deep end scares me but I really don’t believe it should. There must be a balance between disclosure and enjoyable writing (and most importantly enjoyable reading!).
I look forward to hearing from more people on their experiences with disclosure. I hope it will help me find a level I’m comfortable with. Thanks again Julie.

By: Que Banh

Que Banh — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 00:45:26 +0000

Agree with Darren that the disclosure should be easy to find. I appreciate it when writers/bloggers/reviewers let a reader know if they’re writing on behalf of a company or if it’s just their personal opinion. I could care less if the reviewer paid from their own pocket or if it was complimentary – as long as I feel I have read an honest review. For me it’s more about content and the quality of a review. I like reviews that are well rounded and point out the positives as well as the negatives. I’ve had plenty of great travel related experiences that I’ve paid for myself. I’ve also had a few fab experiences where I’ve won a complimentary stay. That said I have also had not so great experiences with self paid and complimentary.

By: Darren Cronian

Darren Cronian — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 00:12:18 +0000

Hi Julie. It is certainly an interesting subject. It seems ridiclous that everytime you write about a meal, hotel stay or trip that you have to confirm if it was paid for or not.

Personally, I think you should disclose that you have received the service or product for free and when you have paid for it out of your own pocket then you don’t mention this.

Make sure that the disclosure is easily found on all posts so that people are aware of that if you have not said so that you have paid for the service or product yourself.

I have to say that I am not a fan of paid review posts, because 99% of them are one-way positive. I know that most PR companies do not want you to write something negative about a product or service.

By: Julie Ovenell-Carter

Julie Ovenell-Carter — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 23:53:46 +0000

I apologize Rebecca–that’s true, your exact quote was as you say: that you would offer disclosure. However, in the reporter’s framing of your quote, they made it sound that you supported the US-style laws. I’m going to amend my post accordingly.

Do you have any feeling about when to disclose and when it’s not necessary? That’s the thing I’m most interested in–can/should disclosure be a one-size-fits-all proposition?

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 23:45:51 +0000

Hi Julie,

Actually not *once* did I say the laws were a) a good idea b) required. Neither statements were made by me on the radio or the edited TV interview.

I only said what I said in my blog post, which is that it is not required but I’ll offer some disclosure. I only get inquiries maybe 10% of the time so not all even care. By my reputation and voice, I suppose my readers just know & trust me enough in my writing regardless.

Thanks for continuing the discussion.

Rebecca