Speaking of the turning points in the blogosphere, I wanted to highlight the ongoing discussion about blogger codes. Today’s New York Times article, “A Call for Manners” describes how bloggers are battling disturbing (and sometimes unlawful) comments posted on their sites. The article quotes several sources such as the Blogher network and the O’Reilly Radar as guides for civil conversations in the blogosphere. While some may feel that codes are restricting, others are quick to point out how these rules protect privacy, individual liberties and copyrights.

After a decade of blogging, trust remains the central issue of the blogosphere. The amount of trust readers have in a blogger affects his or her influence level, as readers take their cues from honest and accurate sources. On the flip side, when prospect bloggers weigh the plusses and minuses of publishing their thoughts, they think about the comments and reactions they will get from the community. If social media is to confirm its legitimacy as a communication channel, peer-to-peer conversations need to transpire within a trusted environment, where writers and readers can freely exchange views without infringing upon each others’ rights in any deliberate way.

A simple code of conduct would be more than verbiage added to privacy terms and conditions. It would be a badge for trusted communications. If well-known blog ad networks or industry organizations collaborate and set up guiding principles, then bloggers can show an icon on their areas and take a stand for legitimate, civilized communications. Similar to the way online shopping areas sign up with the Better Business Bureau or VeriSign to instill confidence in their visitors and to do business the right way, bloggers can display the stamp of ethical, trusted communications on their sites.