What's your take on the 'Big Bad Blogger' issue?

Question

On January 23, Filipino netizens went abuzz when Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist Margaux Salcedo came up with the article "Please don't give blogging a bad name" (http://bit.ly/fa2Usf ) in the Sunday Inquirer Magazine.

In her article, Salcedo tells the story of a blogger, referred to as the "Big Bad Blogger" and a PR firm who allegedly demanded cash compensation from Georgia, a restaurateur, in exchange for good reviews. Salcedo didn't name names but appealed to the blogger involved not to give blogging a bad name.

The article drew mixed reactions from netizens, particularly the blogging community, who even dared Salcedo to name the blogger and the PR firm involved. The issue is far from over with several other issues raised including ethics for bloggers, as well as journalists' right to protect their sources.

What do you think of the 'Big Bad Blogger' issue? Should Salcedo reveal the identity of the blogger and the firm? How should the blogging community address this issue? Share your thoughts with the community now.

Answer 1

As a blogger, I condemn this act of demanding cash compensation from the subject of the blog. For that matter, bloggers should not even demand, nor expect favors.



I do a travel blog and I make sure I pay for everything, my fares, my rooms, my food, everything. I do not even announce my presence, except when I leave and invite them to see my review of the hotel/resort in my blog. Asking for any compensation, or favor, compromises the integrity of the blogger's words/ recommendations.



http://boyplakwatsa.wordpress.com

Answer 2

What do you think of the 'Big Bad Blogger' issue?



I dont think its an issue. It was a blind item. Unless there is any evidence then its nothing more than hearsay.



Should Salcedo reveal the identity of the blogger and the firm?

If she has any hard evidence to back up her claim then she should do so. If not, she could be sued for libel.



How should the blogging community address this issue?

The blogging community could police themselves methinks.

Answer 3

A year ago, a blogger wrote about a project I did which was well attended and appreciated by many publications. I read the blog and with pictures I wrote or commented on the blog by introducing myself and claiming the work I did which the blog completely missed out to no fault by the blogger so i simply introduced myself. I got a good response from the blogger and added my name this time or so I thought I did. The next day "SHE" called a few to her disgust and told a few how arrogant I was to have asked to be named. I was shocked.



I was told a blog is like a personal diary so I had no right to write or make a comment, this coming from another blogger. I simply think if you are very sensitive then you better not join the money driven blog thing.

Answer 4

Naming or not naming a person or an organization is not the issue but the effect that a blog will have on the "target/s" of the blog. A blogger can justify the blog if it is intended to tackle national issues such as corruption, but in some cases, some really irresponsible person uses blogging as a resort for "revenge" and other ways of dealing with personal issues and grudges against other people.



My family had an experience of the same, with my sister being the target, and the kind of humiliation that we experienced was really something that nobody would EVER want to experience. The blog affected not just the person mentioned, but us as well being her family, her husbands family, and the person(including his own family) allegedly having an affair with my sister. And take note, the party involved is a public service officer. Can you imagine walking on the mall and then somebody approaches you and say, "di ba ikaw si.... ---- I read that blog about you and that was really really bad." That was what my sister experienced. And then my friends started calling me saying "pare, you should check a blog and an FB account about your sister. It's really bad. You should do something para delete yun."



Yes, we can resort to blogging as a way to expose fraud, and corruption and many other BAD things to correct it. But the question is, what if blogging use is being "abused" in a way? How will that be handled by the blogging media? In our case, we tried everything that we can so the blogging network will delete the blog. But do you know what the end result was? THE BLOGGING NETWORK CANNOT DELETE THE BLOG AND ONLY THE BLOGGER CAN REMOVE IT! We even reported the fake FB account to Facebook, but SURPRISE!... THE ACCOUNT IS STILL ACTIVE UNTIL NOW. AND THE BLOG WAS POSTED AND THE FAKE FACEBOOK ACCOUNT OPENED LAST OCTOBER 2010.



YES, BLOGGING IS A GOOD WAY OF EXERCISING OUR FREEDOM OF SPEECH. BUT THERE SHOULD ALSO BE A WAY TO BLOCK BLOGS THAT ARE BEING USED PARA MANIRA LANG. KASI ALAM NAMIN NATING LAHAT NA HINDI LAHAT NG BLOGS AY "TOTOO", MAY "KATUTURAN", O MAY "BASEHAN."

Answer 5

I've been a huge fan of Margaux Salcedo and I'm a follower of hers ever since she stepped foot to the PDI.



Paid social media marketing is a huge business in our world today. Actually, I'm also in this industry. I'm a social media marketer and SEO. It seems Margaux Salcedo is not updated with the new marketing trend. Marketing is not limited to TV, radio and newspaper.



BUT, asking for P120,000 a month is way too much. Even P80,000 is overpriced. Unless you market for REALLY, REALLY HUGE companies, then you can ask that price. But for a resto, it's a big NO!



And it seems they are using blackmail to ask Georgia that huge sum of cash. It's unethical for a blogger and social media marketer to do that.



But let's just face it. The Internet is a MONEY INDUSTRY. Some people are paid to blog whether it's true or not. Money matters. End of story.

Answer 6

Salcedo is not liable if she will not give names... this is a call for us that we should not rely on those blogs only but to find by ourselves the truth based on our experiences. Blogging can do good and bad to others because of their influence in the net but then, it is our own judgement that should prevail.



Salcedo tried to open our eyes. We should support her too for protesting for the bad bloggers because we knew that these bloggers can really affect the blogging industry. This is also a call for our government and those people concern to put some measures and restrictions in blogging. I know this would be difficult but to protect the interest of the people, they should do it.



Bottom line is, those who have businesses should not do these kind of practices so that these bloggers will not get used to it... this is impossible but in everything we do we should do it right in order for this country to improve and be successful... it's our countrymen who will suffer for what these bad bloggers would do... Let's help Salcedo for her appeal..

Answer 7

The question is why this is considered an issue at all.



If a blogger and a PR firm do not wish to give good reviews, then go to other bloggers and PR firms. There are others in the ocean. If your product is good (a restaurant in this case), other bloggers and PR firms will be willing to give you good reviews. A single blog does not hold as much influence as people seem to think.



Also, let's refrain from using this question to plug our blogs here.. with links, no less.

Answer 8

Salcedo doesnt have to reveal the identity of that Big Bad Blogger. Obviously, it's not impossible. No need for proof. Many people are doing everything to earn some money and internet is a leading medium. Blogging has just started to bloom and it's normal that some people are taking advantage of it.

Answer 9

Even if you wont reveal the identity now, people will know the blogger in due time. Blogging is becoming a trend nowadays and you must expect more issues like this as time goes by. I am not certain if there is anything the blogging community can do to stop this from happening again. The least we can do is find a way to minimize it :D

Answer 10

In my opinion, exposing half-truths without sufficient data or evidence is not blogging but merely gossiping. We should be responsible enough to back up whatever statement we release in whatever media.



I say, if Salcedo released this article to expose this Big Bad Blogger and how he does business, then it shouldn't read like a blind item. Does Salcedo have the facts? Then go for it... expose the sleazebag!

Answer 11

Blogging is just like writing in a traditional newspaper. The big difference is that the blog site can potentially have millions of readers more than printed newspapers. Thus it is vital that the same journalistic principles of truth and fairness which are exercised in respectable printed newspapers be applied more stringently to online sites.



Unfortunately, the unbridled freedom on the net gives the netizen the right to use his blog for whatever purpose it may serve him. Do we have laws against lying in the net?



A critical tip to info seekers: be more cautious when surfing the web.

Answer 12

We don't know these days what and who to beileve in anymore. So, YES. Expose the identity of the blogger. After that, the the firm would come next to set as an example to other wannabe scam bloggers.



These kinds of bogus blogs/scammers should be completely eliminated. The government and the media are already brimming with corrupt monsters like these, let's contain the internet before it becomes a playground for these fiends.

Answer 13

Hm-mm... it seems that criminals have been creative nowadays and techie savvy. I recall that it's no different to a previous news I read in an internet site wherein a certain "pedophile" wants to sell his book (about his illicit/immoral activities) on-line under the premise of "freedom of speech'? A few weeks earlier, I read that a certain person is suing somebody of libel for posting some statements he belied to.



I think, it would be wise to ask a legal opinion if its ok to reveal the name of that "scumbag" if he really is. But I ask the bloggers, do you follow or have any code of ethics prior writing? Are you above any country's laws since blogging goes beyond political boundaries? What protection do we ordinary citizens have against any of your abuses? At least, we could sue the newspaper of libel if the account is somewhat degrading? Can we sue bloggers?



My advise to "Georgia". Since the firm or that bloggers frequently visit you, maybe you should asked the NBI for entrapment, since they are like extortionists. Am I right?

Answer 14

that's a quite a dent on the blogging community. it could really give some site owners, business owners online, etc. a really bad impression. take note, not all of us are doing this just because it's an essential part of the our work but also for the fun and passion of writing and making it known or communicating it to others through our chosen mediums. condemn is really not a solution for we cannot cast a stone if we our selves are not pure. however, boundaries can be drawn and limitation can all be set. if software technology can block a specific spammer or blogger i don't see why it can't possibly apply in the given situation. until then, unless proven without a doubt and eliminate all hearsay abut the issue then i hold no water to allege my fellow netizen or arose their ill feelings towards impartiality.

Answer 15

Blog is a blog. It's like sharing your ideas to the world, right or wrong. Comments are available too.

Some bloggers are just making it for fun but if someone will gonna report it as too abusive then that's the time it will be banned from the web by the developers of the blog site itself, if there is proof.

Answer 16

"Gus" is just the latest sockpuppet of a chaser who cannot accept reality and blames the trans women who answer questions here for that fact. He makes up throwaway accounts and posts nothing but insults for days at a time until Yahoo bans him, then he goes away. A month or so later he'll be back venting his spleen at the terrible unfairness of the universe. He'll very often pick a "special" victim to stalk and harass with his hate speech, lies and Libel. He is the perfect example of a troll who ought to be banned from the world, let alone Yahoo Answers.

Answer 17

We blog, because we want to share our stories, our experiences. If other people say that blogging is now a new way to earn money then you lost the whole point of blogging. Earning from a blog doesnt mean that should be your main source of revenue. It just evolve to that. Lets not miss the basic thing that it do which is provide first hand experience and information about anything through blogs.

Answer 18

Paid reviews from bloggers and websites are nothing new, but to solicit it?



For me there's no point in revealing who it is. The important thing is that this type of behavior be brought out. The more people who knows about this, the more it won't happen.



Also, for everyone else, there's a simple rule of thumb. Don't believe everything you read off of the internet.

Answer 19

Let's face it, Blogging is a tool for passing information on the internet. It can be used personally or in business.



As a matter of fact, this kind of business have been around for years! This is the new alternative marketing strategy. It's cheaper compared to t.v. ads or artist branding. Bloggers don't give a damn thing if they profit from this business stream.

Answer 20

Perhaps this Big Bad Blogger is taking advantage of the "spreading of words" implementing that theory describee in Malcolm Gladwell's book 'The Tipping Point'. I can see lot of these bloggers as well as those who comments on certain article which seems to be exaggerated.

Answer 21

That was the subject of my column article titled "Jagged Jaded Journalist and the Big Bad Blogger" published today (January 25) in The Lobbyist. Here's the link: http://www.thelobbyist.biz/perspectives/subtext/397-jagged-jaded-journalist-and-the-big-bad-blogger.

Answer 22

For all writers who drum up awareness of any item or issue...if they truly want change or to make a difference or much better if they have proof, they should name the person/org involved and it is us readers who should decide for ourselves our own view/opnion ...but to be a spark with no follow through is pure cowardice and insincerity on the part of the writer...

Answer 23

She wont give the names because she can't prove it. This isn't really an issue because you know what, people who blog, and read blogs aren't stupid people. They'll know for sure. Baka makatulong pa nga ang bad PR kasi makikiliti curiousity ng mga tao, magsipuntahan pa sila lalo dun.

Answer 24

This is a case of weak law about blogging. Nowadays blog sites became a portal for piracy and pornography.

Answer 25

as far as i know the media (print or TV) and pr firm always gets something in return for featuring article about certain resto or company.



they might not demand it but it is norm that if you want your company to be featured you have to either pay or give something to them



i am not sure of any media who goes out of their way and feature compnay for free.

Answer 26

i am in the food industry and majority of these so-called 'food gurus' and bloggers are definitely money driven. most of them ask for a certain fee to blog about your food establishment. many give positive reviews in exchange for ad spaceon their blogsites. others charge you for the professional fee of their 'photographers' and ' programmers'

Answer 27

i think everyone is entitled to write something good about something, after all the consumers are the ones who can prove whether it is really good or not. although i would say, endorse only those you really like and tested - consumers are not dumb to go with the flow and agree with what the blog has to say when they actually know better.

Answer 28

I don't think she needs to reveal anything. Let God be the judge! As for the resto owner, just keep your food and services good then by word of mouth it will spread like wildfire.

Answer 29

Expose that douche bag blogger & the firm w/c represents him.

Answer 30

well, salcedo does food/restaurant reviews, so what's her connection with the so-called restaurant owner? just asking!

Answer 31

She can't name names because she can't prove it. Just because she knows about it, doesn't mean she's got props to prove it when she's sued in court for libelous claims. And c'mon people --NETIZENS? Seriously?? How dare you call yourself writers when you keep falling into these cliches.. tsk, tsk..

Answer 32

Some people are paid to blog, that's not new.

Answer 33

Or maybe this just another marketing stunt for the restaurant.

Answer 34

well its up to him...blog is still a great way to express yourself people are smart and they know what they do

Answer 35

Are you kidding? Media is media. It always means money & business. lol.

Answer 36

It is EXTORTION.. plain and simple.. only this time, the extortionist is tech savvy...