Though you may not recognize this post as such, it actually is an invitation to discuss the ethics and politics of food blogging. Everyone here in the blogosphere has the right to their opinion and what I post here is mine.

Just as you write to express yourself, so do I. Just because you write something doesn’t mean I have to agree with you or do what you say. Just because I write something doesn’t mean you have to agree with me or stand for something I believe in.

When I posted this story and created the corresponding Food Blog Ethics website just a few days ago, I had no idea what kind of response it was going to get.

Within 48 hours of posting the conversation went viral. With so many people talking about the subject, I can understand why you would be confused as to what the intent was behind the post. Clearly, there was a need to discuss the topic. This is politics and thousands of people feel very, very strongly about the subject. They’ve flooded the site, read what we had to say and commented. Discussion HAS ensued and people–on every front–are taking their personal stand on what they believe in. Bravo.

When I wrote this post and the Food Blog Code of Ethics, my goal was to write a document that explained my personal code of ethics. Many have VOLUNTEERED that they too believe in the same code–the one we wrote being an example of it. Many VOLUNTEERED that they don’t ascribe to our belief system of food blog ethics. Contrary to your suggestion, The Code was not created to be an edict. It was written as an expression of beliefs.

As far as your claims that I am not being transparent enough, I do offer transparency in my writing. I give my name and my professional affiliations. Not everyone believes they need to. I believe I should.

I also believe it is more than fair that I have the right to give my readers that information however I see fit. I’m not hiding behind anonymity. I don’t just say “I’m a restaurant insider” and leave it at that. I’m not hiding the information that I work in restaurants. The point is, I do give my readers this information. How I choose to give the information–WITHIN the stories I write–is my choice. If you choose to reveal yourself in your bio or on your website or on your comment, so be it. I’m not telling you must. In my opinion, you should.

–Brooke

BTW, I came to your blog to read another article and only commented here because it was the most recent post. I had already read your bio looking for places you are affiliated with and not found any.

Had I not read this article, I would not even know of the single place you mention. Yet one assumes you (the insider, who certainly has more contacts than one, newly opened, venue) have worked other places, are buddies with other chefs, etc. That information seems appropriate for a biography rather than a link in an unrelated post that almost nobody will see.

Speaking of transparency and accountability…

Though the restaurant I work for is not in my bio, it is listed in the story you just commented on.

Feel free to read the story one more time to get the information you are looking for.

But I’m not a reporter and wouldn’t want to abide by a journalistic code of ethics, constrain my views in any way, or limit the number of topics I could cover, that is, if I weren’t so lazy. Considering how unintelligible most blogs actually are, I’d propose that if food bloggers need to follow a set of guidelines, then it should be the MLA Handbook.

It’s funny-a few weeks ago a company contacted us about trying one of their products, and I felt so weird about it–I really didn’t know how to handle it. I told the company thanks, and that we’d try it on our own (I felt really weird about taking freebies), but to have a community that can provide guidance on this sort of topic would of be infinite use to me and to so many bloggers.

And as a bonus–we all look better and as legitimate observers, commentators and critics of the food industry.

Well done! I tried to email the Food Blog Ethics email, but Gmail would not recognize it–please add my and my husband’s blog to the list of those who wants to be a part of this movement.