What We’re Planning to Discuss on 10/7

We’ve known for years that a blurry line separates bloggers and journalists, but now the FTC has drawn the boundaries in pen with new rules that govern disclosure for bloggers. Here’s the jist: “Bloggers who make an endorsement must disclose the material connections they share with the seller of the product or service. Likewise, if a company refers in an advertisement to the findings of a research organization that conducted research sponsored by the company, the advertisement must disclose the connection between the advertiser and the research organization.”

The results could be far-reaching. According to a CNET news report by Caroline McCarthy, “Prominent users of Twitter and Facebook won’t be exempt from controversial new Federal Trade Commission guidelines that keep tabs on blogger freebies and giveaways.”

We all know about the importance of truth in advertising, but we are wondering if this is fair, or if taking it to this level goes too far. Specifically:

What equals proper disclosure in the new world of 24-hour-blogging and ever-present social media?
How does that relate to content sharing and attribution?

Let’s talk about the limits of disclosure on tonight’s #editorchat. We’ll be at www.friendfeed.com/editorchat at 8:30pm EST.