Blogging with Integrity

You've seen this badge in many blogs. The idea is that a blogger signs a pledge that he will uphold his integrity when blogging.

The pledge is pretty simple. When you display the Blog with Integrity badge in your site, you adhere to the principles that the website is espousing.

Here's the full text of the pledge:.

By displaying the Blog with Integrity badge or signing the pledge, I assert that the trust of my readers and the blogging community is important to me. I treat others respectfully, attacking ideas and not people. I also welcome respectful disagreement with my own ideas.

I believe in intellectual property rights, providing links, citing sources, and crediting inspiration where appropriate. I disclose my material relationships, policies and business practices. My readers will know the difference between editorial, advertorial, and advertising, should I choose to have it. If I do sponsored or paid posts, they are clearly marked.

When collaborating with marketers and PR professionals, I handle myself professionally and abide by basic journalistic standards.

I always present my honest opinions to the best of my ability. I own my words. Even if I occasionally have to eat them.

Blogging with integrity is more than just placing a badge in your blog. Integrity is not something you shout to the entire world. Integrity is very much synonymous with your character. Either you have it or you don't. Either you practice it or you don't. And I would always think twice if the blog I'm reading is credible or not especially if he's using the Blogging with Integrity badge.