CBC Blogging Manifesto
A few days ago, I signed the CBC Blogging Manifesto. Today, Ouimet announced it. Though I don’t post about work here nearly as much as I used to, any CBC-related posts will be guided by this:
Preamble:
If you blog about the CBC, it’s assumed that you are doing so out of love and perhaps frustration.It’s only natural. The CBC is a wonderful institution with a long, proud history, going through an interesting and difficult time. By blogging about the CBC your colleagues, senior management, and the public will all be enriched by your expert opinion. Your insight, experience, and will will only help the world at large better understand a corporation that at times appears stodgy, arrogant, and faceless.
For better or for worse, you are representing the CBC when you blog about it. Keep this in mind with every word.
- Use common sense and don’t do anything stupid. Blog to make the CBC better, not to kill it.
There are plenty of others who want to do that for us.- Ad hominem attacks should be avoided but disagreeing is expected.
- Be brave.
Be honest and tell it straight. Talk about new ideas and revive some old ones. Don’t be afraid to challenge the “experts,†and certainly not the anonymous ones.- Use audio, video and images fearlessly, but responsibly.
Use judgment if asked to take it down.- Acknowledge and link to your sources.
If it is a rumour, say so. If your co-worker says something you’d like blog, ask them first. If it was another website, link to it. Do your research. Be fair. Get it right. And change it if it is wrong.- Blog wherever and whenever you want, but don’t let it detract from your job.
- Eschew advertising.
Plugging the CBC, yourself, and your work is cool. Banner ads are tacky.- During the next strike or lockout, you may feel urged to ignore any or all of these guidelines. Do so at your own risk, knowing that your words can harm yourself, others, and the CBC itself.
I’m confused. Is this a joke? The comments on the original blog make it sound as if there is some sort of self-aware joke going on, but the manifesto itself sounds far too self-important.
Not sure why this manifesto requires signatures. Seems to me that it’s one person’s opinion, stemming, probably, from getting flamed by another source.
Either way, there are contradictions and contentious issues galore:
-”The CBC is a wonderful institution with a long, proud history, going through an interesting and difficult time.”
What, a CBC employee isn’t allowed to think that the place is crap, the product is crap, and the whole place is going to crap - not an “interesting” time? That the CBC should be ashamed of many of the decisions it has made and needs a serious overhaul? This guy makes a lot of assumptions. (and why is it CURRENTLY a difficult time - as opposed to all the other “times”? Maybe this is just the status quo, eh?)
-”Your insight, experience, and will will only help the world at large better understand a corporation that at times appears stodgy, arrogant, and faceless.
Much like this manifesto.
-”For better or for worse, you are representing the CBC when you blog about it. Keep this in mind with every word.”
No, you are representing yourself when you blog about anything. At best you represent “one CBC employee” when you blog. So much for being honest in your blogs. I thought the Internet is where people went to avoid censorship.
-”Use common sense and don’t do anything stupid. Blog to make the CBC better, not to kill it.”
So, what, if you criticize the place you’re being “stupid”? Anything that does not make the CBC better (according to whom?) is “stupid”?
-”Be brave.”
…But do what I say. And be careful. And don’t say anything bad.
-”Be honest and tell it straight.”
Ok, now this is where I get confused. Are CBC employees supposed to tell it straight or avoid negativity? Which is it?
-”Use audio, video and images fearlessly, but responsibly.
Use judgment if asked to take it down.”
HUH?! Be fearless but use caution? WTF? Wrong choice of words, I think. One would also hope that you felt justified in using a video/audio clip in the first place - why, then, would you take it down, even if asked? Being fearless demands that you stand by your material.
-”If it is a rumour, say so. If your co-worker says something you’d like blog, ask them first.”
Hmmm…could this be the REAL impetus for this manifesto?
-”Plugging the CBC, yourself, and your work is cool. Banner ads are tacky.”
Says him. Who the hell does this guy think he is? Do whatever the hell you want with YOUR blog. Wanna make yourself some cash with banner ads? KNOCK YOURSELF OUT! (Just don’t expect me to visit)
-”During the next strike or lockout, you may feel urged to ignore any or all of these guidelines. Do so at your own risk, knowing that your words can harm yourself, others, and the CBC itself.”
Honestly, could this guy be more condescending? Follow this manifesto at your own risk. Play in traffic at your own risk. Kiss your girlfriend at your own risk.
I have always supported the CBC - as an idea. I believe in a national broadcaster (but mostly because I figured they’d give us Canadiana and be a refuge from reality tv crap - not try to join the bandwagon). This manifesto makes me think the CBC is full of arrogant, condescending jerks.
…Gee, good thing I know he DOESN’T REPRESENT THE CBC WHEN HE BLOGS.
Love,
-Phil aka One Man’s Opinion
Phil
14 Aug 06 at 2:09 pm
Why does this manifesto fall right into the left wing, socialist, thoughtspeak vision so many Canadians have about the CBC?
It would be funny if it wasn’t costing me and my family so much money each year!
Mike
15 Dec 06 at 5:40 pm