Buzz Marketing with Blogs: Is Blogging Advertising?

Is Blogging Advertising?

There’s an election coming soon here in British Columbia, and the Elections B.C. board has an interesting take on the role of bloggers when it comes to posting election-related opinions and recommendations. They say blogging is advertising and as such should be reported to them when it concerns a candidate or a political party or issue.

CBC British Columbia - Blogs are advertising: Elections B.C.

VANCOUVER – Elections B.C. is having a hard time keeping up with a boom of bloggers who are publishing partisan messages during the current election campaign.

They’re supposed to register themselves as advertising sponsors if they post a partisan position on a candidate, party, or referendum question.

“Under the Election Act, it will fall within the definition of election advertising, and we would ask them to register,” says Jennifer Miller, of Elections B.C.

Bloggers I know of who would fall afould of this so far:

Ian King talks makes an STV plea;
Darren Barefoot pledges his support;
Sacha Peter talks about voting;
Raymond Tomlin spends a lot of time on many election issues at VanRamblings.

So the question is: when you choose to support someone on your blog—is it advertising? Before you answer—realize that some of these people make a living, or part of a living, as bloggers. And then ask yourself, it it any different if a business is the “owner” of that blog, or a person. Hmmm. Interesting issue.

Posted by Travis Smith on 05/13 at 01:34 AM • Law and Ethics -- Marketing