Food Blog Code of Ethics
Monday, May 4, 2009 at 2:43PM in opinion There’s been a lot of buzz around the food blogging world for the last few days. If you want to know why, you can click the link and read all about it.
While the basic idea of this code is common sense honesty, and I’m sure—written with good intentions--there are a few things about it that rub me the wrong way. I’ll touch on those first, then give you some links to other blogs who have posted about it, as well. I urge you to also read through the comments—they’re well thought out and may bring up some points you haven’t thought of.
1) This Code of Ethics was written by two trained journalists that also blog about food. So naturally, they lean towards journalistic ethics. And that’s fine! If you’re a journalist. Which I am not. I write this blog for fun. I look at it as friends having a chat about food.
2) The authors of the code say they had heated discussions with other food bloggers before putting it in writing. What food bloggers? I wasn’t one of them. I don’t think I know any one else that was asked to weigh in on it. I think that before one word of the code was released, it should have been put out there for all food bloggers to offer up opinions on. Granted, there would have been a lot of opinions to wade through, but I think if you’re going to set up “guidelines” that you’d like to apply to all food bloggers, then you ought to give them the option to know about it and be a part of it before you release it to the world. That’s common sense.
3) Honesty. It’s a very good thing! I’m an honest person with integrity. I don’t think that if I put a little badge saying “I Follow The Code” in my sidebar, you’ll all rest easier at night. Will you? I give my readers way more credit than that! You guys can discern between bullshit and the truth. It seems silly to me to have to tell you that I’m an honest person. You’ll either think someone is or not. But more importantly, you’ll form that opinion on your own. I actually read a comment by someone who was all aboard for the code, and said it was a way to *set themselves apart as having standards* they write by.
Well, excuse me (!), but I have standards already, and don’t need a code to proclaim it! Being ethical, honest, and civil are qualities you either have, or you don’t. And no code is going to help you if you don’t already possess those attributes.
4) While we’re on the subject of honesty…I really don’t expect that the thieves out there that steal blog content and photos will suddenly say “Oh, there’s a CODE? Well, that changes everything! I’ll stop stealing your content right away and never do it again!” Please. They’re going to do it anyway, because they’re unethical, and no badge or document will stop them. They have to want to do it.
5) The authors of the code think that restaurant reviews by food bloggers should be fair. I can’t argue with that at all. But they suggest visiting an establishment at least twice before reviewing. Which would be fine if I were a journalist with an expense account. But I’m a stay at home mom, and our budget for such things come out of my husband’s paycheck. I suggest that restaurants learn consistency and put out quality food every time a plate leaves the kitchen, or own up to it—and not get pissed at the food blogger that happened to get a bad plate of food.
6) I fund this blog. Which means I’m “Supreme Ruler and Dictator” when it comes to what I publish on it. If I want to be crude (which I’m not, for the most part) I will. If I don’t want to be civil, I won’t. Please refer to my title in line one, section six if you’ve got an issue with that.
7) From the code:
“As the blogging world expands exponentially, more and more people in the culinary world believe that food bloggers—as a group—are unfair, highly critical, untrained and power hungry individuals empowered by anonymity.”
I’m betting that the ones who think food bloggers are unfair and critical are the very ones being criticized by food bloggers. They call us hacks. I have a simple solution for them. Put out better food, better books, and better products. And put on your grown up panties and realize that not everyone will kiss your ass and tell you you’re awesome! If you’re putting yourself out there publicly, be ready for criticism. It’s part of being in the public eye.
8) The badge. For the time being, they’ve decided to hold off on releasing it, and thank GOD for that. They say: “We’re conflicted about the negative message the badge might convey.”
Negative message is right! Can you imagine new readers coming to a great, honest blog—not seeing the badge, and thinking “Oh, this must be written by an unethical, dishonest hack. I must go elsewhere.”
This badge should never, ever become the defining “badge of honor.” Because there are millions of honest, ethical and civil food bloggers out there, and they don’t need a badge to proclaim it. I’ll say it again. I think 99% of food blog readers are extremely smart people and can tell when someone is trying to bullshit them—and the 1% are trolls looking to piss people off. But for someone who just starts reading food blogs—well, I hope they never have to look for a badge of honesty to decide whether to read a blog or not.
_______________________________________________________________________________
I guess that was a little more than a few. But I feel very strongly about this. Now, the authors state plainly that these are guidelines, not rules. But really, if someone decides not to follow and jump on the bandwagon, does that make them unethical? Dishonest? Uncivil?
Hell, no! But it’s a slippery slope they’re on—trying to govern a very large group of people and hold them to standards that journalists follow. And with all due respect to these ladies, rather pretentious. I don’t know the numbers, but I’m betting most food bloggers aren’t trained journalists like the authors of the code. Will people embrace it, follow it, live by it? Or will the hype die down in a few months as we’ve all moved on to something else? I don’t know yet.
Here are a few links to check out. I hope you’ll go read them, and don’t forget the comments! There are many opinions, and things for you to think about. Whether you’re a food blog writer or a blog reader—you should know about this code, and decide if it’s important to you or not. As a reader, especially. Will you look for the badge of honesty? Or will you let the blogs speak for themselves, and use your intelligence to see when someone is lying to you?
I’ll leave you with this: I’m an honest person. I’m ethical, and civil. And I care about my readers—I won’t lie to you. But I won’t subscribe to someone else’s idea of what a food blogger should be like. I’ll be me, without a shiny badge, and hope that you’ll still come back to read about what I have to say. And thanks to those that do!
Reader Comments (70)
What? You're not following the *code*? I'm not coming back. Heh, heh!
I didn't really weigh in on it... not sure I really care about any sort of 'code' out there, and I'm not sure it's at all needed. I can't really think of a good reason to have one in the first place. So I'll remain 'codeless' as well :)
Very well-put.
Thank you, Ellie and Lori!
I don't need a code of ethics or guidelines. My blog is MY blog. I am a big girl, I can take care of myself!
Yes, Maria-you're absolutely right! And thanks.
If you're blogging about those meals, I hope you're keeping recipients. Tax right-off, baby!
Back on topic...I think it's a nice guideline, and working in the food industry we have lots of guidelines. Ultimately, it's the blogger's choice and what the blogger does determines the blog's fate. If they aren't upholding some kind of ethics, their blog isn't going to go anyplace fast, and that's the way it should be.
It is a nice idea, Corrin. Slightly flawed, but nice. And you're right--the crap blogs will usually end up at the bottom of the pile.
I don't really see the NEED for a "code". I mean in my experience - we can tell who's "really" doing it and who's not.
I thought food AND blogging were supposed to be fun??
I wish people would get the chopstick outta their hiney and get over themselves. :o)
Kristy--yes! I don't think dumbing down our readers and holding their hands is necessary.
April! How the heck are you? And I completely agree with you. ;)
Very well stated, Elle
I already follow my own code, and I consider myself an honest blogger. I certainly have no intention of putting up some silly badge to say so.
By the way, I wasn't consulted either. I wonder who these food bloggers were who got to participate in the "heated discussions".
If after a few times reading a blog, or trying recipes and I like it and they turn out, I'll keep reading. If I see the recipes they post are off someone elses blog repeatedly without giving someone else credit, I tend to quit reading. I like reading "real" blogs that give honest reviews. I think it stinks that some people steal other people's original ideas, recipes and pictures - but I also don't think having a badge on one's page guarantees your safety, or that nothing on that page has been plagiarized from someone else.
In a world with too many regulations, I tend to think we don't need any more. :)
Heather
Dawn--I don't know who the bloggers were, but it was news to me when it was published, so unless they were very tight-lipped, no one I know was aware of it, either.
Heather--same here. We're smart enough to know BS with or without a badge.
Thanks for writing this Elle.
I like to think anybody that needs to be told the things in the Code wont listen anyway. So if it isn't going to be an effective vehicle for changing food bloggers it only serves as a vehicle for self-righteousness.
And if a food blogger is blogging on their own time, they can damn well be as uncivil as they please. We can always unfollow and unsubscribe.
you're a meanie by not following the code--I'm not coming back because you aren't lifting my spirits or making me happy, you are making me want to listen to death metal music and jump off a bridge.
;-)
love you Ms. Elle!
This whole things seems a little crazy. I mean who made these people the deciders of what code I should use to write my blog. I do it for fun, I never claim to be an expert or a journalist. If someone likes what i do yea! but if they think less of it because I don't have a certain badge, well see ya
Elle, I've been mulling about my post on this, but I could not bring myself to write it yet because like you, I feel strongly about this. You nailed my points of contention.
I don't need anyone to validate my website for its content or to govern what I write. That is why I have my own website and talk about things that matter to me. Should we start policing political bloggers then? Celebrity bloggers? They're putting more questionable information out there than we could even begin to think of ruining a restaurant because of our bad experience. A bad experience is a bad experience...people talk about it on message boards...gah... Oh well, I guess I should write about this soon. LOL.
But thank you so much for this post. I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels so conflicted about this.
Dawn--I know, I'm a meanie. But I'm not one to just leap w/out looking first. and you shouldn't, either--so get off that bridge! hehe
Caleb--yes, and yes! And thank you. It's not like we're forcing readers at gunpoint to stay and read, and return to read more. They're not going to stay for BS.
Kat--That's another sticky point for me. No one should be self-appointed. It should have been a group effort. It's an extremely large group, but that's just the way it is.
Joy, I've been mulling this post over for days. I had sort of decided to wait on it, but when I sat down to write a food post, this just started coming out.
You just can't police bloggers, it's an impossible task. I know they say that's not what the code is for. Call me crazy, but I've seen it happen. A few do-gooders will see what they think is a post that doesn't follow this "code," and start making waves--tattling and snitching. Like I said, it's a slippery slope.
Oh, and PS -- I wanted consulted about this either. When I read their premise to writing the code, I really did not feel like I was part of these group of food bloggers they speak of. I am not one of them! I didn't even know we are "bad"! :p
Joy, I'd heard little bits--here and there about bloggers being called hacks. Particularly by a certain pony-tailed chef in orange crocs, and there are probably more, I'm sure. I don't know what things were said about him to piss him off, and really don't care. But if you're putting yourself out there, you must know that not everyone is going to love what you do. Part of the business.
And mostly, i don't think you can call it a code for the food blog community when the community didn't have a hand in writing it.
If I wanted to read pablum, i would read a journalist. I do not I want to read someone who writes like they think. Someone who does not have an editor making things nice. I want raw, well actually I do not like the whole RAW food but you know what i mean. I want to read someone who wants to write what they want in 10 words or 10,000 words. That is why food blogs are so popular, i can find the people i like and support them! Like you!
Stephanie, thank you! I definitely don't write like a journalist. Don't even review like one. So following a journalists code of ethics seems silly.
Amen, Elle!!
I read this "ethics" bit last week and while their intentions were good, the "badge" etal is flawed. Discussions like this are a starting point.
For me...I go by the old Greek saying, "tell me who your friends are and I'll tell you who you are".
I look for a good copy, delicious recipes and appetizing photos. I also look at who frequents a blog, comments - who you keep company with.
I'm grateful for the people who regularly read my blog and they are always in mind when I write a post. That's my badge, my code and a little of my ethics.
Peter, those are all good things to look for. This is a great way to get discussions going, at the very least.
Liz, thank you!
Well I do post some recipes (if you can call them that) plus many other things on my blog so I am not a food blog. I don't pretend to be anything other than a friend of sorts that is telling you that we had a great dinner or cake or whatever and here is the recipe or method. Half the time I don't even put the amounts in. Toss in some basal, sprinkle with olive oil.
If I find a food blog I need to make my own judgment about whether it is one I want to come back to. Some badge on the side of the page isn't going to make me change my choice one way or the other.
Besides how can it work when you say po-tay-toe and I say po-tah-toe.
Great job Elle!
And thanks for the links, I read each of them twice and might go back for a 3rd time.
WOW! I came here to print out a recipe, chicken with herbs de provence and I find out about some "code" that I am supposed to be following!
I've never been one to go along blindly with what I'm "supposed" to be doing. Especially when someone else arbitraily has done the deciding for me. I intend to be me, good, bad, right, or wrong. Like it or leave it!
Thanks for passing along the info and so eloquently.
~ingrid
Elle-
Because I regularly "tweet" with you, I was aware of "The Code"(I am sorry, but every time I hear that I think of Pirates of the Caribbean)! It just seems like such a non-issue to me. I have to say that all of the bloggers I have communicated with have been nice, kind, helpful and seemingly genuine people.
“As the blogging world expands exponentially, more and more people in the culinary world believe that food bloggers—as a group—are unfair, highly critical, untrained and power hungry individuals empowered by anonymity.”
I am not sure who these bloggers are (see above), but I certainly don't know them. There are rude, arrogant people from every walk of life, and I have not run into very many in the blogger world so far. Maybe I hanging out with the wrong blogger crowd, lol!
Oops, meant to say Maybe I am hanging out with the wrong blogger crowd.
you are AWESOME!!!
I'm not a "food blogger", though I love food and sometimes write about it. I might share a recipe I've tweaked (I think for the better), or a restaurant I've eaten at recently, or talk about a cookbook (you might call it a review) I've run across (I own over 200 and my passions run amok). In fact, I'm going to write about another one, soon.
I also blog about bad driving, politics, gardening, Project Runway, and whatever else I damn well please at any given moment in time. I don't have your following or traffic, and I'm no pro. Sometimes I even blog for money. Does that make me a hack?
I blog as an outlet, a means of reaching out to my friends, both old and new. But mostly for myself. It's my opinion, dammit. As long as I don't slander or harass anyone, then I'll write what I please, thank you. If Congress won't regulate me, then why should I let some other strangers in the blogosphere codify me? Nor do I think any of you "real" food bloggers should, either.
I'll read what I please, and I'll take to heart what I please. Badge? I don't need no stinkin' badge. And neither do you. I'm adding you to my blogroll, for what it's worth.
Damn. I think I just wrote a blog post. Select, copy, paste. Sorry.
This is the first I've heard of it and can't say it sounds like something I'd get involved in. I'll certainly do some more research, but this type of stuff doesn't sit well with me. I really don't think I need to advertise my honesty.
what nonsense. i had no idea this was going on, and i have to say that i'm behind you, elle. it's as if you took the words right out of my mouth. :)
Lori E--great point. There are too many blogs out there, and it's like trying to fit square pegs into round holes.
Michelle--thank you. Some good reading there, right?
Ingrid--thank you for saying so.
Toontz--i think you're right. I haven't come across any yet, either.
BJ--thanks!
RJ--thank you! I love how you put what you wanted to say into words. I'll be along to check out your blog shortly. :)
Bob--definitely do some research. For some bloggers, it's what they've been looking for. But you seem like an honest guy that doesn't need to advertise it. You just are.
Grace--thank you!
First I have heard of it, but I couldn't agree with you more.
Thank you, Cheri!
Brava, Elle! I agree with every point you made and couldn't have said it better myself. I was never asked for my input either. Frankly, I haven't come across anyone who was.
I find the whole thing presumptuous and a bit arrogant.
This is the first I've heard of this--I followed your link to read it from the horses' mouths, as it were. Still trying to decide how I feel about this; seems to me that we're a self-policing lot and don't need any outside code imposed upon us. Will continue to mull this over as I unpack all of our moving boxes. Thanks for such a thought-provoking post, Elle.
Susan--thank you! I know you and I feel the same way about this whole thing.
OPC--thank you! And yes, at the very least, the word is getting out about the code and people can decide for themselves if they want to follow it or not.
If this code is so darn special how come nobody knows about it?? If i didn't come here I wouldn't have known. This is crazy, I'm an adult and can decided for myself what blogs are worth reading and what aren't. There is no way that the information about this badge will get to every single blogger out there which is going to hurt alot of people who don't know about it and therefore don't have a badge. Those of us who have ethics will continue to have ethics...without a badge.
Yes...very well put! I thought I was just having fun. And I'm honest too.
And also....I guess if I have to, I'll just be a "blogger" who posts mostly about food. Because that's what I am. Not an official "food blogger".
Dang... can't we all just get along? (those people make me nervous)
Couldn't agree with you more! Thanks for bringing this to light.
Wow, Elle, this is very well said - I think all of your points are very true and valid. I think the people who created this code, created it from a very different mindset than those of us who are food bloggers. I don't doubt that they do blog, but they are first and foremost journalists, who are getting paid by people to write a bout food - which makes me question their integrity.
That being said, I also don't know of any food bloggers I know ( and I know about 4000 of them) who were asked to weigh in on this "code".
I thought this was supposed to be fun?!?
"Badges??? We don't need no steeenkin' badges!"
No one ever asked my opinion...and until they do, and actually listen to my opinions...then I must be the enemy and don't want to be a part of their asinine badge of honor. Ppppffffttttttt!
Love ya Elle! You rock, girl! :)
Here here!
I think a little badge stating your "honesty" is just silly.
Perhaps they need to step off their high horse and realize food bloggers are full of passion, and a desire to share. If you need an honesty badge for that something is wrong with the world.
i'm a trained journalist that happens to blog about food! you kick hiney with this...i won't say more as others seem to have covered the range of sentiments! ;)
get it, gurl! (oops, bad writing habits!)