Disclosure Notice ~ Important Please Read
Things are changing in the world of blogs and the internet and as sites such as this increase in popularity and importance the influence they can wield is being looked at. In the USA there is now a requirement to disclose your interests in terms of advertising and endorsements etc.
Because some blogs often feature content that can be misleading or biased new laws are coming in to require site owners to disclose their interests.
Whilst this is not currently a legal obligation for me I feel it is good practice to do so - I also like to be ahead of the game in such matters.
For reasons of clarity and reassurance to those who visit the site the following information conforms to the Federal Trade Commission guidelines. It should give you peace of mind in knowing what lies behind this site, its motives, biases and financial remuneration.
Please do take the time to read it - thank you - comments and questions afterwards are most welcome.
Personal and Business Information
Advertising and Endorsement
If you’re a regular visitor please do not click on the ads - thank you
Reviews
In Summary
Whilst I have other websites and business interests in this field this site does not exist as a business model.
All opinions are expressly my own and are not influenced by gratuities or benefits of any kind from related parties.
A link to this Disclosure Notice will now appear at the foot of every page.
Should you have any questions, doubts or opinions - feel free to express them by leaving a comment
R.D. Collins - Site Owner and Operator
Rod said,
October 9, 2009 @ 3:41 pm
Now taking off my barrack room lawyers head I can revert to writing non-legalese !
The reason for this is because people are being paid, or getting gifts etc, to promote things in a disguised way.
These new laws now also apply to celebrities etc in as much as they must declare an interest.
An actor cannot mention how much he likes a brand of watch for example without declaring an interest - should they have one of course.
It’s going on all over - restaurant and product reviews etc. I regularly get offered free cinema tickets to write about films and get offered freebies for video games and the like should I wish to write about them and perhaps run a competition !
Regulars hopefully know and trust me as being honest, painfully so sometimes, and I would not abuse that privilege.
If you have any questions or opinions on this or what I’ve written please do feel free - I’ll answer any questions honestly and openly
Yours Legally
Rod
Annie Flinn said,
October 9, 2009 @ 7:24 pm
Rod,
I always knew you are a “straight up” kind of guy. Thanks for confirming this. Well done!
Annie
Rod said,
October 9, 2009 @ 7:44 pm
Hi Annie,
thanks for that, it’s pretty important - I know most people won’t be interested but there’s a minefield of biased and misleading sites out there.
This is why I’ve done this even though I need not do so in this country.
Best
Rod
Femme Fatale said,
October 9, 2009 @ 11:02 pm
Rod,
Honesty really is the best policy.
Good for you and well done
FF
xx
Donald (Australia) said,
October 10, 2009 @ 2:28 am
Hi Rod,
It is obvious you are the ‘real deal’. And it is pretty obvious when blogs sites are not.
But don’t be too keen to endorse the US requirements. There is a very real push to control the Internet, particularly to control political comment which it does not sit well with a governing regime. For the first time in history, the truth or otherwise about political intentions can be flashed around the world to ordinary people within hours or minutes of some event. And the news need not be filtered or censored. Witness the protests in Iran following the recent fraudulent elections.
This push is even extending to radio - the (probably doomed) attempt in the US via a “Fairness Doctrine” to stifle right-of-centre commentators is another worrying sign.
So charge ahead, we’ll get the message if you suddenly tell us that burger, chips and cola thrice a day are the go, or that Nobel Peace Prizes should be given to hopey-changey thoughts.
Cheers,
Donald (and yes, spring has almost arrived here in southern S.Australia, after an almost all-time record rainfall for September! Yay !)
Rod said,
October 10, 2009 @ 9:14 am
FF,
many thanks - I look forward to the day honesty gets me somewhere
Regards
Rod
Rod said,
October 10, 2009 @ 9:18 am
Hi Donald,
thanks for the encourging words and also for taking the time to comment so interestingly - hope you’ll return to do so again.
There are soem worrying developments I agree with you in fact as well as worrying some are downright ridiculous.
The danger here is that whilst many use the internet few understand it and that includes those in power who seek to regulate it etc.
I was enjoying your comment until the part about spring arriving in Australia - as I’m facing the onset of winter I think you’re just rubbing it in
All the best from the far side of the world
Rod
Little Brother said,
October 10, 2009 @ 9:33 am
Rod,
I’ll not bother, nobody would believe I get paid for my websites anyway
LB
Rod said,
October 10, 2009 @ 2:38 pm
LB,
don’t blame you.
But on principal, were you in the states, it would apply as it’s not just about making money on a site but declaring an interest.
You could be busy plugging restaurants which turn out, unbeknownst to people, to be those under your management !
Obviously you don’t but the point is you could - as many do - hence this idea of declaring vested interests.
Cheers
Rod