"Blog Sovereignty" and the Bloggers' Code of Conduct

There has been a lot of talk recently about whether or not the author of a blog has the right to moderate the comments that people make. The death threats against Kathy Sierra has gotten the blogging community up in arms about what is right and what is wrong to post on the internet. According to the bloggers' Code of Conduct suggested by Tim O'Reilly and Jimmy Wales, the writer of a blog is not only responsible for their own words that they put on their blog but also the words of those who comment -- meaning that, if someone posts something that the owner doesn't like, they have the right to moderate or delete it. This has created a lot of controversy because many argue that this is a violation of free speech. However, I am here to make the argument for what I like to refer to as "Blog sovereignty."

Basically what I mean by blog sovereignty is that your blog is your blog. This blog, which I have called "Rantings and Ravings," is my blog. I control what goes on it, and insofar as I stay within the rules of my blogspot.com host, I can post whatever I want. In that, I have freedom of speech. However, because this blog is mine, and not that of the visitors of the blog, such a freedom should not have to extend to them. If I do not want certain things to be posted on my blog, then I believe that I am perfectly in my right to moderate that. In fact, I can even go so far as to suggest that I don't want people commenting at all, though I suppose that would make the blog a rather boring place. And certainly, if someone comments on my blog with something that I find inappropriate or excessively rude, then I am and should be allowed to delete it.

But is that not infringing on free speech? Not at all, I say. If someone really has a huge problem with me, then they can feel free to start their own blog and say it there. I might not agree with it and I might be hurt by it but as long as it's not on my blog then I won't do anything about it.

That does not, however, mean that you have open permission to be a jerk. I cannot stop you from writing a hate blog about me, though really, I would say that would be a gross waste of time and energy and there are many many better things that you can do with your time. But besides being a waste, it is also just not very nice at all. One of the major problems with the internet is the relative anonymity we are all awarded. Sure, you can log my IP address, but for all you know I'm typing this from a library computer and you'll never find me. And besides, many laymen don't even know how to log an IP address. I know I certainly don't. But even though eventually finding me is possible, it is still a much more anonymous sphere. I am not speaking to you face to face. I could say things to you over the internet that I would never dream of saying in real life, because communicating via text is much easier than communicating face to face. I do not have to worry about tripping over my words, or my voice cracking, or my eye twitching in an undesired way. More importantly, I do not have to witness your reaction firsthand. In most cases it will be several days before you react, if you do at all, and if/when it does happen, you will also be far away and safe at your computer. And hence the flame-war begins. Because of a variety of factors -- anonymity, time delay, and lack of face-to-face interaction, it is just plain easier to be a jerk on the net.

What it should come down to is just good common sense. The blogger's code of conduct suggests that you shouldn't say something online that you wouldn't say in real life. Remember that just because the recipient is far away and the reaction is delayed doesn't mean that words can hurt any less. This has been demonstrated already by Ms. Sierra, who canceled her public appearances and stopped updating her blog because of threats made against her. Certainly free speech is important, but if someone does not feel comfortable allowing just any comments on their blog, then they should be able to moderate that.

The other problem is that if blogs are moderated, it might be taken too far. Harmless posts could be removed simply because they disagree with the original blogger. Again, I say use common sense here. If a blogger is so high and mighty that they are going to remove comments that disagree with them, then a lot of people will stop going to their blog. I still stand by my idea of Blog Sovereignty, and believe that you are well within your right to do this. But you have to understand that it is going to color your reputation in a negative way. Ultimately it is a judgment call on your part whether or not a comment should be removed. Also, if your blog is moderated, you should make it clear from the start that it is, and clarify what sorts of entries will be removed. That way, if someone does become disgruntled due to the removal of their comments, they will at least know that they were warned, or, if they truly believe their comment was removed unjustly, they will have some sort of guidelines to go from.

Once again, I would like to reiterate: If you want free speech, go start your own blog. This blog was created on blogger, and it was very easy to do. If you want to go write a long and detailed tirade about what a stupid blog this is -- and I admit, with only one entry so far, it's a rather stupid blog -- then please, go right ahead. Not quite sure anyone will read it and I'm sure you've got better things to do with your time, but hey, it's a free internet. However, this blog is mine, and I reserve the right to moderate comments as I see fit. Not, mind, that I expect to get many comments, since I only made this blog for a final in one of my classes and may or may not ever look at or post in it again. However, just to clarify, any hateful, sexist, or racist comments will be deleted, as will, certainly, any death threats. Arguments will be allowed as long as they don't "go for the throat," so to speak. I believe that since I am the creator of this blog, I have the right to do this. Other creators of other blogs do not have to follow these guidelines, though they certainly can if they want to. It is, after all, Blog Sovereignty.

Links:
Call for a Blogger's Code of Conduct:
http://radar.oreilly.com/archives/2007/03/call_for_a_blog_1.html

The Actual Blogger's Code of Conduct:
http://blogging.wikia.com/wiki/Blogger's_Code_of_Conduct

Creating Passionate Users (Kathy Sierra's Blog)
http://headrush.typepad.com/creating_passionate_users/