Affiliate Marketing Blog: Should Bloggers Join the National Union of Journalists?

Thursday, 13 September 2007

Should Bloggers Join the National Union of Journalists?

You could take it further - should affiliates join the NUJ?

Bloggers write unique content, look at different angles, don't follow convension and often have massive audiences. So shouldn't we have Press Cards?

I think that bloggers are always ready and willing to write about their target audience and often getting your name in the press can seriously help traffic - so joining their freelance journalists directory should be a good thing nes pa?

Has the offline age of cloak and dagger in the journalism industry caught up with the scope and the ability of the internet to make and break bands?

My view is yes, we should join and yes we should shout about our hard-earned place in the journalistic industry. But what are your thoughts?

5 Comments:

At 13 September 2007 at 22:44 , Richard Longhurst said...: Not sure if that's a serious question or not ;-)

Writing a blog doesn't make you a journalist any more than owning a pencil makes you a sketch artist.

The definition of eligibility is that a card carrier must be working "professionally as a media worker who needs to identify himself or herself in public."
At 14 September 2007 at 08:37 , getvisible said...: Of course its a serious question :-)

Do you think Engadget and Gizmodo should have Press passes? I believe they get more traffic and readership than The Times? Should their gadgets correspondant - Nigel Kendall have a press pass when his impact on British consumers may be less?

I take a wider view of "professionally as a media worker who needs to identify himself or herself in public."

"Professionally" to me means that they make a living from it - I do.

"needs to identify himself or herself in public" does not just mean attending a crime scene. It can also mean attending a conference, trade show or event where the general public are attending.

I'm attending Internet Retailing 2007 and have been given a press pass because I'll be blogging about it from an industry and in point of view. I think its wise that the people I talk to know beforehand that I'm not just an ordinary punter but ther for a different purpose than most.

It's all about transparency.
At 14 September 2007 at 23:08 , Richard Longhurst said...: "It's all about transparency"

You have absolutely hit the nail on the head.

To the reader, Engadget and Gizmodo are news and review blogs that have no ulterior motive other than to present news and reviews.

Affiliate sites, on the other hand, are masquerading as news and review sites but really only exist to turn some coin from referal income.

Are they transparent about that? In the most part, absolutely not.

Journalists cover stories because they're interesting or important, not because there's a chance of a kick-back from from later clickthrough sale.

Of course Engadget and Gizmodo journalists should have press passes - but they have them because they are journalists, not because they're bloggers.

Does everyone with a Wordpress, Blogger, Livejournal or Typepad account deserve a press pass or membership of the NUJ?
At 15 September 2007 at 08:37 , getvisible said...: Affiliate sites, on the other hand, are masquerading as news and review sites but really only exist to turn some coin from referal income.

A couple of points: this is just he same as many price comparison sites only promoting products where they'll earn a commission from. The public can easily spot self-interest.

The affiliate models that will survice are the ones that put the user first. Clarke's freebie site not only includes freebies with affiliate commissions attached but also freebies without. On my Euro 2008 site I add content that isn't there to drive sales. I think this is the distinction. Blogs that add value should be considering it.

Also, if we look at the "professionally as a media worker" phrase then this would rule out any "Tom, Dick or Harry" and 95% of bloggers. Hence, others that comment and critise should not be excluded purely because they use Blogger or Typepad to publish thier views.

Perhaps there should be a Blogging Code of conduct where their site can be reviewed for transparency and then display a kitemark???
At 15 September 2007 at 16:18 , JC said...: Good post and a bit different from what most of the UK blogging affiliates are publishing at the moment (myself very much included).

I think there is some merit in the arguement. If advertising copywriters can apply to join then surely it's logic that a PPC, ad writing affiliate can join too?

Those of us that do operate professionally are (online) media workers and our profiles by and large made public - so I would suggest that we are eligible.

Whether I feel it would be beneficial to join and pay the monthly subs I'm not so sure.

John.