Breezeblog adopts media code

Breezeblog is pleased to announce that it has voluntarily adopted the Media Council of Bermuda’s Code of Practice. [See Code of Practice final version 6.10 for full text.]

Although Breezeblog is not strictly a traditional media outlet – it is mainly my occasional thoughts on anything from music to Macs and football, after all and for that reason is advertised as “the ramblings of a desk-bound man”. However, I do believe that whether we like it or not, blogs are now part of the media. By definition we publish publicly and with that freedom comes responsibility whether we like it or not. Our relationship with news and TV media websites is symbiotic – where would half the content for most blogs come from otherwise? – and the lines between the two are increasingly blurred.

From time to time Breezeblog does report or comment on Bermuda news and as a trained journalist by profession, when I do so, it is not unreasonable to expect me to be held to the same standards as any other journalist or broadcaster.

While I don’t agree entirely with fellow blogger Jonathan Starling’s point of view that blogs should not be considered part of the regular media, he does raise some interesting issues and I urge you to read his comments on Catch A Fire. Dennis Pitcher of 21 Square explains his reasons for adopting the code here.

I don’t believe like some that the Code is the thin end of a regulating wedge. I believe that the broader aim of the Media Council, to promote higher standards and better training is long overdue and well worth pursuing. As I’ve said here before, we expect other professions to be responsible and held accountable – why do we think different rules should apply to us?