Dear Chooran

 Sidra Gufran

I am bored of writing about the university, I know it is our beat, but let's face it, it's been over done to the core. So, I thought for a change, I would write about something that would benefit mankind in general (read: my class fellows, juniors and some seniors).

We've been doing this assignment for over two months but nothing has been said in class about basic blogging ethics. Or, if there was then, I was probably taking a pleasure stroll in my very own lala land.

A follower of this blog, once brought me at the edge of my nerves by instigating and re-instigating me to reply to his comments, in the name of “basic blogging ethics”. I ended up fighting with him. Follower one, Sidrah zero. But thank you follower, because you made me explore a couple of links on blogging ethics since I belong to the Google world. So, yes, reading a couple of links on the topic automatically makes me an expert who can write a blog on it.

I also like to consider myself a journalist, so I reserve this post to journalistic blogging. The Society for Professional Journalists relates in its rule book “responsible bloggers should recognize that they are publishing their work publicly, and therefore, have certain ethical obligation to their readers, the people they write about and the society in general”.

Credibility is a must for blogging. This is one organisational structure where you are your own gate-keeper. Check and recheck your facts before you publish it. Your published work is like carving on stone. So never delete your post. What you've have posted is there to stay, and that it is why it is a good idea to think and rethink before you hit the publish button.

Do not lie about your identity, misquote a fact, rephrase a fact as an opinion or plagiarise it. It is true that the more eyeballs your content manages to roll, the more comments and followers you attract, but this is where you draw a line. Ethical journalism is ideally what we all are here to do.

Anonymity raises questions. So remain transparent about your identity. Own what you have written, and if a follower points out a mistake, accept graciously. The followers your blog attracts are basically like minded people who share similar perspectives gathered all together on a platform. Therefore do not disappoint them. Actively engage in comments and use this space to interact.

PS. With this one last post Chooran Chutney comes to an end. Followers and commentors, thank you for making this little venture a success. Chooran, you were a good candy. Ciao ragazzi.