Friday 1 May 2009

The Code

The Internet is an untamed beast. One capable of great things but a little rough around the edges at present.

Traditional print media has had a couple of hundred centuries in which to iron out the creases and develop its own set of rules and regulations, conventions and precedents, codes and guidelines.

As a result we have the rules of referencing, acknowledgement of sources, notions of plagiarism and the laws of libel to keep ‘the media’ in check.

Being but a mewling toddler, the Internet has no such guidelines.

So, it works to the benefit of all of us when someone pro-active decides to spend time drawing some up.

That someone is actually two people: Brooke Burton and Leah Greenstein of Foodwoolf.com and spicysaltysweet.com

Together they’ve created The Food Blog Code of Ethics.

And it’s good.

In short?

1. Be accountable
2. Be Nice
3. Be Honest
4. Practice good journalistic practice.

I encourage you to read the full code and spread the word.


Tweet me. Go on...

10 comments:

Kavey said...

With the two exception of a) visiting a restaurant more than once before passing judgement and b) sampling the full range of items on menu I'm happy to follow The Code.

To those two exceptions, I write reviews of the experiences I have had as an ordinary diner. That means I often visit only once and, unless dining with quite a few others, all of whom are happy to share their orders, I seldom sample more than a few dishes. But since my reviews provide feedback only on the dishes I have tasted and only on the service I experienced, I think they are valid snapshots. Of course, I would never pretend nor claim that everyone else who visits should expect to experience the same, whether good or bad. My review is a snapshot of one diner's experience and opinions and that's all it should be taken for.

:)

Leah Greenstein said...

Thanks for sharing our Code, Just Cook It! And thanks for your feedback Kavey. The Code doesn't require that anybody visit restos more than once, just suggests it. We understand that regular diners on regular budgets don't have that luxury, we're just saying, if you've only been once, say so. Then your readers know. Nonetheless, this is definitely something we need to clarify in the Code. Thanks for joining the conversation.

bee said...

that's a very useful link. thanks.

Scott at Real Epicurean said...

I heard about this somewhere else recently - it looks really interesting, and certainly worth of our support.

Alicia Foodycat said...

Thanks Alex! That is a very useful link.

taste traveller said...

Thanks, this is a good guide, yet it shocks me again and again that these things have to be reiterated. Then again, some things are worth repeating...

Laura in Paris said...

Oh, my option is to create my recipes : no copyright, no hassle and great taste - or so say those who tray them!

Just Cook It said...

Kavey - I think I mentioned this to you on Twitter but, yes, I think I agree with you on this one. Yes, of course, restaurants have off days and sometimes off dishes and a reviewer is limited by their own experience but that doesn't necessarily mean their opinion is any less valid. I think this one might run a little longer...

Leah - Thanks for dropping by. I think the more people who join this debate the better. And thanks for starting the conversation

Pleasure, Bee.

No problemo, Foodycat

Taste Traveller - Thank you

World in a Pan - Sounds like a fairly foolproff method!

La Motte Valois said...

Heya! Great text, I agree totally with your opinion. Internet can even be quite scary as well, sometimes.

Cheers from NZ. (I've added your blog to my favorites). Great font as well.

Chef Matthew J.G said...

Great article. In fact your blog is awesome. I will definately pop back on a regular basis.

Tastefully yours,

Chef Matthew J.G.

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