Thursday 14 April 2016

10 Responsibilities of Bloggers

Responsibility means many things to many people.
What is responsibility for me, may not be for you.

There is no doubt that we all have responsibilities.
We all have social responsibilities too.
As Bloggers, this is more pronounced as we have a say and a reach.

Blogging and responsibility are connected.
When we are Blogging, we are in a position for making a choice to blog.
In a way, Blogging is at the cost of something else...
In my case, I have sacrificed, ignored or postponed other responsibilities just so that I can blog!

Blogging is a responsible activity.
Bloggers do have responsibilities.

As per my views, the following are some of the responsibilities of Bloggers:

1. Correct Info- Bloggers need to share correct facts, data etc. in their Blog. They need to cross-check and verify the information before posting.
In case they have shared any misleading or incorrect statements, info or comments, on being informed, they should update their blog.

2. Due Credit to Sources- Bloggers must accord proper credit to the sources. Pics, quotes, research data etc must be ably supported with links to the original idea-proponents.

3. No Plagiarism Please- Plagiarism speaks poorly about the talent and nature of the plagiarist, while robbing the original writer of her/his fair share of credit and honour. In case a post's idea has been 'inspired', a link to the original Blogger's post is much required.

4. Authoritative Info- Bloggers must present info about what they know very well e.g. their immediate neighbourhood, areas or items available in their city's vicinity etc. These are facts that a Blogger has grown up with and can share with all and enhance their knowledge.
Imagine if all of us do this, we can share much info and lesser known facts about our India.

5. Unbiased & Honest Views & Reviews- Bloggers must try out the products/services first and then present their unbiased and honest views & reviews.
Many times (especially while writing for contest or sponsored posts), buttering up is prevalent.

6. Respect Fellow-Bloggers- Flaming, war of words or misbehaving with fellow-bloggers is a no-no. Blogging must be to win over and maintain a happy Bloggers family network.

7. Respond to Votes & Comments- Blogging requires mutual reciprocation. Time may not permit us to reply to all. We must make a sincere attempt and try to respond to at least some of the votes & comments, especially those that require answers to queries.
More in my post- VOTES & COMMENTS.

8. Adhere to Blogging guidelines- Blogging, for some of us, is cathartic and has no rules. But, we must follow the guidelines, in case we are blogging for some prompt or contest.

9. Blog regularly- Our posts are like fuel and energy for our Blog. Not blogging means being unfair to our Blog and followers.

10. Spread Positivity, Hope & Confidence- Our Blog must share success stories, goodness, love, and earns brownie-points to inspire and cheer.
Why spread hatred, communal violence, controversy, cause anger, resentment or fear?
Let us take care never to demean our country. While focusing on problems, let us also share solutions and strive for resolution.

I have always advocated- WE-POWER.
It's great when we WAKE UP...
Words are powerful. We can change the world. As Bloggers we can Write To Make Things Right.
Bloggers have the power to address dilemmas- viz decide Charity or Empowerment?
We can Blog To Feed A Child
We can share Quota of Experiences of Bloggers.
Bloggers can click and share pics and info and shame people or inform about correct behaviour, habits viz. Sanitation And Hygiene- #SwachhIndiaNo Spitting etc.


These are my honest and personal views. 
Trying to uphold the points in my list :)
This is not an exhaustive responsibility list. 
My opinions may not match with your views. 
Having submitted my PhD thesis on Corporate Social Responsibility recently, I feel I am qualified enough to comment on related topics concerning social responsibility :)

Do you feel that Bloggers have a Social Responsibility? Please share in the comments below.
Indian Bloggers

26 comments:

  1. Thank you Anita for some great and much needed into on blogging and the responsibilities it entails. I love the hope and positive vibe that always comes from your blog. Thank you for spreading your light throughout the blogosphere. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for your kind words, Carrie :)
      It's an honour being a part of blogosphere! Cheers!

      Delete
  2. Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Means a lot!

      Delete
  3. Nice post Anita, I agree to all the points, and point number 9 is for me as I tend to get irregular with blogging, it's not that I do it purposely but I lack in the area of time management, with a full time job sometimes at the end of a day you are completely drained out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That applies to me as well, Swati... Many of us are in the same boat.
      Points# 7 & 9 need special attention from me.

      Delete
  4. Good points Anita. You've given it some thought.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your appreciation, Kalpanaa :)
      The responsibilities have been weighing on my mind for long!

      Delete
  5. How well you have described the role of us bloggers!
    Great post Anita!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great to hear from you, Indrani!
      Thanks a lot :)

      Delete
  6. Great post ! Very useful info...thanks !

    ReplyDelete
  7. You have described our roles pretty well! A very well laid post Anita :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for reading & for your appreciation, Maitreni :)

      Delete
  8. Good set of guidelines... but blogging regularly is a matter of choice right.. how is it a responsibility?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Shrinidhi.
      Responsibility is - "a duty or obligation to satisfactorily perform or complete a task that one must fulfill."
      It's "the state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of having control over someone.
      I feel as Bloggers make a choice to create their Blogs, they are like parents who ought to take responsibility for childcare.
      If we do not blog, then we are responsible- "the state or fact of being accountable or to blame for something."
      The choice is ours-
      Claim responsibility for our blog's negligence or death
      OR
      Choose to be responsible & blog regularly!

      Delete
  9. So nicely written. Thanks for the article. It will serve as a reminder for me too.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Agreed but not sure of mutual reciprocations.. thats not how it should be , if you visit you comment and if they dont reply that should not stop you .. at least that what i feel . I think there is too much of this you scratch my back I will scratch yours. I visit all I visited 3 -4 years ago, now too irrespective if they come and comment on mine ..

    nevertheless great points and yes bloggers do have responsibilities ..

    Bikram's

    ReplyDelete
  11. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Nice Post!! All the best for your Phd :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hey Anita, You have summed up the points very well. Thanks for a post which keep tab on us, Bloggers.

    ReplyDelete

Your words mean a lot to me.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...