Checklist for bloggers

I got this from Malaysia-today, written by Matthias Chang. I thought it will be interesting to share with you. I guess it helped me think of where I am heading, and what kind of blogger I want to be. The excerpt below read as follows:

Whenever you read any article and you want to determine its objectivity, accuracy and whether it is a spin and or a propaganda piece, ask the following five questions:

• Qui Bono? Who benefits?
• Are they doing the work of the enemy?
• Why are they confusing and or diverting the issue at hand?
• Have they succeeded in refuting the underlying thesis or arguments and sources?
• Have they made any mistakes or inadvertent admissions?

I suggest that you read again the various comments posted by the bloggers and apply the above five questions to their comments. Through repeated practice, you will in time, able to smell a rat and identify a traitor in your midst a mile away.

Recently, a blogger asked for guidelines to be an effective, constructive and sincere blogger. If you support a responsible blogging community and to prevent the regime and Big Brother from having a pretext to clamp you down, may I suggest that the following Checklist be used to help you in writing your constructive comments. It will also help you to expose the charlatans.

CHECKLIST FOR BLOGGERS

Spin Doctors, Muckrakers and Fifth Columnists
(Don’t do what they are doing)

• Using foul language and profanities
• Demonise the writer or opponents
• Write in bad faith
• Non-disclosure of sources and research materials
• Hitting below the belt
• Citing outdated and or unreliable data
• Unsubstantiated and fanciful comments
• Stuffing down your throat
• Uncorroborated or not capable of verification
• Seek to confuse
• Not willing to enter into open public debate
• Hide his true identity and refuses to disclose name
• Not willing to admit to errors
• Not governed by moral principles
• Adopt racist, chauvinist and extreme views
• Offer no solutions, indulge in rhetoric and give vent to anger and frustrations
• Try to pass off as experts and give misleading opinions
• Regurgitate tired and discredited views in new forms
• Strive to divide to cover up misdeeds and lies

Sincere, Honest and Genuine Truth Seekers
(Do what they are doing)

• Use language that would not embarrass a child
• Be fair and constructive
• Write in good faith
• Full disclosure of sources and research materials
• Critical and constructive
• Cite accurate data
• Fact-based and well reasoned comments
• Encourage an honest exchange of views
• Verifiable and corroborated
• Seek to clarify
• Accept public scrutiny and accountability
• Have nothing to hide and willing to stand by what he/she writes or says
• Readily admits errors when pointed out
• Willing to pay the price for upholding principles
• Express views with passion and compassion without being offensive
• Offer credible answers and attempts at problem solving
• Rely on expert evidence and views, offer well reasoned arguments
• Seek to bring the latest verifiable information to assist readers
• Strive to unite to seek truth