Not sure if that helps, but thanks for your comment. We’ll definitely have to ask around more to figure out this complicated issue.

I saw a link to the code of ethics on a blog I just found. I recently wrote my first restaurant review. I was very honest in my review but I didn’t disclose that my meal was comped. I didn’t know how to write that in and thought it would seem weird to put it there. After reading the code I can see that it is important. I have a question though, if you go to a restaurant and plan on writing a review for yelp, your blog, for anything, how do you handle photos? I like to take photos when I’m going out to eat. I always did that before my blog as well. If there was a fancy dessert or something I wanted to take a picture of I did and never thought about it. Now that I started using yelp and may add more reviews to my blog, what is the proper etiquette for picture taking in a restaurant? Do I need to ask permission? If they ask what it is for do I have to tell them that I will be writing a review? I’m very curious (and nervous) now and want to do the right thing. I never thought of people lying on yelp or of people using yelp as a way to get free food. Maybe I’m just naive but it never crossed my mind. It’s sad because I do tend to rely on yelp when I consider trying a new restaurant.

Sorry that this is so long. I appreciate what you’re doing!

I have a question for recipes, if I make a recipe let’s say from Martha and I can only find her recipe in a cookbook that I have purchased, do I have the right to post the recipe online? I always give accreditation to the person when I publish a recipe. Waiting to hear from you. Thanks.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/

You’ll need to scroll down to the post entitled “Sampler Platter: Bonobos, Beer . . .”

By the way, do you have the LA Times link? I haven’t see it yet and can’t seem to find it.

As a current student and occasional freelance writer (although I do not have a formal background in journalism), I am most concerned with the lack of awareness or concern about plagiarism in the the blogosphere. I have come across food blogs whose content is almost entirely composed of verbatim Wikipedia entries, whole paragraphs from mainstream newspaper websites, and excerpts from subject-dedicated sites. These bloggers do not cite, credit or link back to any of their sources; they make a half-hearted attempt at paraphrasing with synonyms here and there. By omitting attribution, they imply that the ‘research’ and resultant post is entirely their own original work. (These blogs also often display copyright warnings.)

This subject touches such a nerve because plagiarism is potentially an academic and professional career-killer for me. My husband reminds me that many people are simply unaware of what constitutes plagiarism but I feel that can only go so far as an excuse. I appreciate the link to cyberjournalist.net and for the obvious thought and energy you put into your site. I look forward to following!

Yours in ethics,
B