Washington – The Federal Trade Commission will require bloggers to clearly disclose any freebies or payments they get from companies for reviewing their products.
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It is the first time since 1980 that the commission has revised its guidelines on endorsements and testimonials, and the first time the rules have covered bloggers.
But the commission stopped short Monday of specifying how bloggers must disclose any conflicts of interest.
The FTC said its commissioners voted 4-0 to approve the final guidelines, which had been expected. Penalties include up to $11,000 in fines per violation.
The rules take effect Dec. 1.
How do you define a blogger? If I have a site where I rant about nothing and everything, what’s a difference if I get paid to write something or if it is just my radical opinion? This is clearly against freedom of speech
If you get paid, you’re biased. That’s all.
If you get paid you’re biased. And don’t present your opinion as objective. As per the rules you will have to disclose your are getting paid or got incentives.
Whose bread you eat, their song you’ll sing.
While I appreciate the concept, this sure looks like a gov’t infringement on the First Amendment (“free speech”).
We’ll see what the inevitable court cases decide…
“Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech”. What part of that does the FTC not understand?
Why infringement? You can say whatever you want, just disclose that you’re being paid for you opinion, that’s all.
How about doctors forcing to disclose the gifts and benefits they get from drug companies??
To announce you’re being paid to say what you’re saying is not “abridging” freedom of speech.
Free speech gets less protection in the “commercial speech” arena. The FTC will argue ( IMHO successfully) that getting paid is equivalent to “commercial speech” that gets less protection than Milhouse or me.
Freedom of Speech is being able to say whatever you want about Obama without the Secret Services arriving at your door. Not enabling Verizon to rip me off by paying somebody to post rave reviews about the inferior phone that I am now stuck with for two years.