Code Blogger

A code of conduct for bloggers? The recent Kathy Sierra case has kicked off a move by Tim O'Reilly and Jimmy Wales to propose a Bloggers' Code of Conduct, and a thoughtful review of the move (and the Code) from Russell Brown. I generally agree in the end with Russell's own conclusions on implementing such a code on his own site, that is on not applying such an explicit code.

I reserve the right to intervene, to delete or censor posts, or strike off user accounts. Without apology. It's my site and I know what kind of environment I want it to be. I'm just not sure I need to sign up to a highly procedural "code of conduct" to assert that right.

As I've said here before, I'm all in favour of passionate debate and acerbic commentary, just as long as it's backed up with reason -- which rule I like to think I follow myself. When comments fail that basic test, then deleting deranged nonsense from the comments section is not censorship -- freedom of speech does not require that one provide the unhinged with a microphone -- it is simply asking the deranged to move along. Equally, implementing a 'Code' should hardly be necessary to let people know in advance what is and isn't likely to be considered deranged. Or should it?