Earlier this semester, I e-mailed Tom Nelson at the Loyolan newspaper at Loyola Marymount about the blogging policy at the paper. I know Tom was interested in the topic earlier this year. I got a response recently that I’ll share here.
C. Other On-Campus or Personal Media
Before involving themselves in other on-campus or personal media (including other student media outlets, club newsletters, personal blogs, social networking sites or other media), staff members should carefully consider whether such involvement could potentially compromise either their personal integrity or that of the Loyolan. All staff members should conduct their personal business in a manner that does not lead to conflicts of interest with their responsibilities at the paper.
I asked Tom via e-mail if he could clarify the context of the policy, and this was his reply:
This is in section III, which is labeled STAFF POLICIES and deals with Other Employment (outside the student-run paper); Other Media Employment; Membership in Campus Groups, Clubs, Teams and Organizations; Political Involvement and Other Outside Activities; etc., etc., etc.,
All employment at the Loyolan is “at will.”
So essentially this is what I would call a “passive policy” that warns students employed at the Loyolan that blogging can present a potential conflict of interest with their employment at the Loyolan, and that any such conflict would be determined on a case-by-case basis. If a student did end up in a situation where there was a potential conflict of
interest, then that would be investigated and handled the same as any other such potential conflict (such as political involvement or involvement with a club they are covering).
I understand the approach, and commend the Loyolan for addressing this issue - I know Tom has been researching it for a while. Ultimately, however, “let your conscience be your guide” might spell trouble. I don’t know if I’d advocate adopting this type of policy, but it’s certainly an option you might consider.
on Nov 1st, 2006 at 4:52 pm
We have a policy similar to that, only we explain a little more about the complications you may face if you blog negatively about “company secrets.” It goes with the policies that describe that students run this place, and that your student editor can fire you for stuff if he or she thinks it’s valid.