There's an ongoing weblog conversation about whether bloggers need to disclose who's paying the bills when they express an opinion on a subject, just like other journalists, pundits, consultants, and miscellaneous public figures.
The debate was sparked by Mobius, a PR event to tout Microsoft's latest PDA technology. Recognizing that bloggers influence opinion, Microsoft invited bloggers to the event.
As I wrote in correspondence to Mitch Ratcliffe, who's been ranting on the topic lately, "Of course bloggers are subject to influence by whoever's paying the bills!! Anyone who thinks for a moment should realize it-- marketers have been co-opting grass roots movements for decades. What product was John Lennon's Imagine used to shill again? Remember the Pepsi Generation? Who is sponsoring the latest Extreme sports competition?
For a historical perspective on the co-option of grassroots movements by marketers, take a look at Commodify Your Dissent!
Disclosure: I've seen and heard multiple reviews, articles and interviews by and about the Baffler crowd, but I haven't read the whole book.
Posted by alevin at October 19, 2002 03:02 PM