We knew this, didn’t we?
Likewise, outdoor site GearGals discloses relationships with affiliates and at decor site The Inspired Room, sponsored posts are clearly identified for the benefit of readers.
DK has always been upfront when writing about organisations with which he has a commercial interest (usually Apple). It’s a basic courtesy towards one’s readers. If you don’t and you get caught, they will punish you for it. Nothing to see here, I’d have thought.
In the US, the Federal Trade Commission attempted to address this in 2009 with clear disclosure rules for bloggers, mandating that they provide information about any material connections with companies they work with. This means that they are supposed to disclose if they accept free products, if a post is sponsored by an advertiser, or if some other consideration like free travel is offered. Bloggers elsewhere should take note.
Yes, I recall that. Insidious and unnecessary. I can’t say whether the CiF article is a shill for the idea or not. Certainly I would expect a writer to disclose any relationship and if I do a review, then I would do so. When I wrote about Alt Berg recently, I did so as a satisfied customer and nothing else so made no comment – it being pretty obvious from the context of the piece. Besides, I’ve mentioned it often enough; I take no payment from anyone to run this place. It’s a hobby, nothing more, nothing less. We neither need nor want the dead hand of the state getting involved, thank you very much.