Bloggers who get gifts or money may have to own up - 4 views

• 
  #1 Weiye Loh on 12 Oct 09

   

  By Chua Hian Hou from Straits Times
  
  BLOGGERS and users of other new media may soon have to say so upfront if they receive gifts or money for their write-ups.
  
  The Media Development Authority (MDA) has said it is looking at stricter disclosure rules.
  
  Its deputy director for development policy, Ms Yuvarani Thangavelu, says such regulations will protect consumers by enabling them to make an informed assessment about what they read.
  
  ...
  
  
  The Straits Times understands that beauty product companies are suspected of having paid a female blogger here on two occasions to write glowingly about their products.
  
  Consumers Association of Singapore executive director Seah Seng Choon said disclosure regulations would enable consumers to distinguish between advertorials and genuine reviews.
  
  Like him, digital influence consultant with public relations firm Ogilvy, Ms Tania Chew, said she also favoured greater transparency. She has been increasingly worried over companies here 'basically buying coverage from bloggers who only want to make a quick buck'.
  
  http://singaporeenquirer.sg/?p=4763
  
  Everything the state moves in to (de)regulate something, there's always a reason for it. An explanation. And as all arts issue, there's always two sides of an argument. So I don't know yet if I'm leaning towards which direction now. But I guess it's interesting to ask if such regulation is welcomed or not, and more importantly why?
  
  From the perspective of the consumer, I welcome such transparency. But from a blogger and a free market perspective any form of regulation is a suspect. Some questions were raised as to the political agenda behind such a regulation. But these are but speculations.
  
  So what do you all think?

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">By Chua Hian Hou from Straits Times <br /> <br /> BLOGGERS and users of other new media may soon have to say so upfront if they receive gifts or money for their write-ups. <br /> <br /> The Media Development Authority (MDA) has said it is looking at stricter disclosure rules. <br /> <br /> Its deputy director for development policy, Ms Yuvarani Thangavelu, says such regulations will protect consumers by enabling them to make an informed assessment about what they read. <br /> <br /> ... <br /> <br /> <br /> The Straits Times understands that beauty product companies are suspected of having paid a female blogger here on two occasions to write glowingly about their products. <br /> <br /> Consumers Association of Singapore executive director Seah Seng Choon said disclosure regulations would enable consumers to distinguish between advertorials and genuine reviews. <br /> <br /> Like him, digital influence consultant with public relations firm Ogilvy, Ms Tania Chew, said she also favoured greater transparency. She has been increasingly worried over companies here 'basically buying coverage from bloggers who only want to make a quick buck'. <br /> <br /> <a href="http://singaporeenquirer.sg/?p=4763" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://singaporeenquirer.sg/?p=4763</a> <br /> <br /> Everything the state moves in to (de)regulate something, there's always a reason for it. An explanation. And as all arts issue, there's always two sides of an argument. So I don't know yet if I'm leaning towards which direction now. But I guess it's interesting to ask if such regulation is welcomed or not, and more importantly why? <br /> <br /> From the perspective of the consumer, I welcome such transparency. But from a blogger and a free market perspective any form of regulation is a suspect. Some questions were raised as to the political agenda behind such a regulation. But these are but speculations. <br /> <br /> So what do you all think?</div>

  ...

  Cancel

To Top