My Ethics Policy
There’s been a lot of fuss in recent years about ethics and tech journalism, from people who got paid to promote products to some well-known figures accepting freebies. I’m not throwing stones, but I have seen things that have made me very uncomfortable and that I would personally never have done.
So, here’s the standards that I work to. These are pretty much based on the standards that my former employer PC World follow...
No Free Trips. I don’t get offered them that much these days, but I don’t take them when I do. When I go to an event or show, either I have paid for it or the person for whom I am writing has. I don’t accept trips from vendors looking for publicity, PR companies or others. I leave the free trips to our elected officials and others without the moral fiber to say no.
No Gifts. I don’t mind if someone buys me dinner (or even a nice sandwich and a beer), but I don’t accept gifts with a value of over $25. Not that I get offered that much schwag anyway, but I don't take it if I do.
Products Go Back. Many of the products I review are supplied by the companies who make or sell them. Once the review is done, I send it back. I don’t hang onto product any longer then is required (except for when I forget to actually give it to the FedEx guy after I've packed it up and put the label on it), and if the company really doesn’t want it back, I’ll sell it and donate the money to charity.
Credit Where Credit is Due. In my blogging work, I often write about things I have discovered in other blogs. In these circumstances, I’ll give a shout out to the source, usually with a [Via Whoever] link in the blog entry itself.
No Paper Reviews. "Paper reviews" are where someone reads a press release and then write a review based on that. I don't do that: If I say that i have tested a product, I have actually tested the product. And by that I don't mean I've looked at it in Best Buy: I don't review products unless I have actually received and tested the product to my satisfaction.
Honest Opinion. If I think something sucks, I'll say so, irrespective of if this is going to upset the manufacturer. I've upset plenty in my time, but if your product sucks, I'll say so. Just deal with it and make better stuff!