Nethic Charter, a ‘Code Of Conduct’ for bloggers by Les Humains Associés

Jeudi 12 avril 2007, 1:34

This document is a synthesis of the Netiquette written for blogs and has been adapted for The Associated Humans (Les Humains Associés) by Natacha Quester-Semeon et Tatiana F. (discussion list, forums, blog) It is based essentially on the principles of the Netiquette Guidelines as well as from a Netiquette for forums by Dominique Dupagne and a Netiquette for blogs by Eric Delcroix. Nethic Charter, a ‘Code Of Conduct’ for bloggers

The association invites every online citizen to participate in its development by way of the blog nethique.info, the Wikinethique initiated by The Associated Humans and by by exhhibiting the Nethique button such that your property in Second Life makes reference to the Netiquette.

Historical overview

Aware that the expansion and success of the Web entails the need for new learning as well as the risk of going adrift, The Associated Humans launched the Néthique in February 2006: a reminder of the rules of ethics and savoir-vivre and of the responsibilities and duties adapted for blogs inspired by the Netiquette in use in the early stages of the Internet. As it turns out, the association had been reflecting on these ethical aspects since 1994.

The sensitisation campaign is conducted on a blog and a wiki. Nearly 200 blogs have adopted the Nethique charter [7], and two major French political parties, the PS (Parti socialiste) and the UDF (Union pour la démocratie française), have adopted the ‘nethique’ on the net. The Nethics campaign allowed to improve the sensitisation of the big French parties in front of the potential drift of the presidential campaign and the behavior of the e-activists.

A Charter of Good Conduct has also be created for Second Life, and Slifers can now wear a special nethique badge indicating that they accept the Netiquette in SL. The name of this campaign is: ‘ I am Nethique. Are you? ‘

Recently, a Nethiquette symposium: ‘Living together on the net’ (Vivre ensemble sur le Net) was co-organised by the Associated Humans in conjunction with the ‘Cité des sciences et de l’industrie’, in Paris, and brought together the representatives of three big political French parties (UDF, PS, UMP).

A list of blogs, sites, diggs and properties that have adopted the Netiquette.

Call for active participation

We think that this ‘regulation of acceptable behaviour’, which could reinforce the reputation of bloggers and promote confidence and trust, should be the result of the self-regulation of bloggers and not regulation by a legal structure or government.
The association invites every online citizen to participate in its development by way of the blog nethique.info, the Wikinethique initiated by The Associated Humans and by by exhhibiting the Nethique button such that your property in Second Life makes reference to the Netiquette.

Charter of Good Conduct for Blogs

Fundamental principle: Think of those who read what you write.

Before posting a question, check to see that it corresponds to paper in question…

Do not use upper-case letters unless absolutely necessary. THESE CONVEY THE IMPRESSION THAT YOU ARE SHOUTING and lessen your chances of eliciting a response.

Do not sign your comments, but avoid anonymous comments

When replying to a comment, it can be useful to quote from the original text in order to be understood.

Use smileys/emoticons to indicate your state of mind, but If you do, use them sparingly. ☺ is an example of an emoticon/smiley. Do not assume they can be used to excuse inappropriate speech or as a means of watering down insulting language.

When writing, keep in mind you are communicating with people from all over the world. Think before using slang and regional expressions.

Remember that your comments are being stored and recorded by the research engines. Be careful of what you write, especially if you are using your real name (or a regular pseudonym), all of which can be stored for life.

Do not post simple to point out other people’s spelling mistakes

Avoid the following types of comments: « hi », « yo », « ok », « don’t agree», etc. Careful reflection is a necessary ingredient for meaningful communication.

Falsification (identity usurpation) and the multiplication of pseudonyms will not be tolerated.

Advertising is generaly not accepted on most of blogs, apart from exceptional circumstances or sites specifically for that purpose (which is not the case with ours). On the other hand, a link or a trackback can be inserted provided that the comment is relevant and does not serve as an alibi for hidden advertising.

Write the title of your comment carefully if asked to do so.

Writing, more so than speaking, can be a source of misunderstanding and incomprehension. If a particular topic or discussion riles you, get some sleep (or drink a coffee) before responding aggressively or in an overly emotional manner. On-line communication tends to amplify conflict and tensions can increase because of the physical absence of the person you are conversing with. Even if you are alone in front of your computer, don’t forget that a blog is a public place.

Offensive and aggressive language will not be tolerated on blogs. Please abstain from engaging in any form of personal attack
Comments of a racist, anti-Semitic, pornographic, revisionist or sexist nature will not be accepted, nor will reference to any subject forbidden by law or contrary to humanist values.

Think about verifying your source of information in order to avoid rumor and disinformation.

The following will not be accepted: Insults, harassment, serious affirmations concerning people or organizations that have not been proved or that are notoriously inexact, personal attacks, accusations lacking any proof, the deformation of fact, lies, any attempts at arousing extremist or excessively partisan discussions, propagandizing (direct or indirect), and all forms of proselytizing and dogmatism.

Learn how to participate and share. What makes a blog interesting is not just reading it. Community participation and your personal participation enriches the blogosphere.

To our Francophile friends: Don’t worry if your French is not perfect. You are welcome here among us.

Do not blame the administrators of the blog for the behavior of the participants.

Do not blame the administrators of the blogs if they do not answer all your questions, nothing obliges them to do so.

The comments on this blog are moderated, the moderater reserves the right to publish or not to publish contributions.

Beware of trolls. A troll is an individual who persists in initiating discussions that stir up anger or (voluntarily) ill-feeling in order to set people against each other. A troll can also be a polluter. In the event of a troll’s attack, measures will be taken by the administrators of the blog against all forms of abuse.

Direct link to a special page about Netiquette in Second Life (The Île Verte case)

This page on the wiki

Natacha QS | Pistes | Commentaires | Rétrolien