Blogging Policies For Rhetorica and Carbon Trace

Rhetorica Blogging and Comment Policy

The Rhetorica Media Ethics and Rhetoric Journal offers analysis and commentary about media ethics and the rhetoric, propaganda, biases, and spin of journalism. I hold to these "rules," however imperfectly, as way to make this blog a trusted voice in the explication and criticism of journalism and language issues involving journalism and politics.

I will always try to:

1- Refrain from posting a link to any material I have not read thoroughly and carefully.

2- Make sure that I understand important concepts presented in source material and explain to my readers concepts at the foundation of my analyses.

3- Be fair in my representations of all political factions.

4- Remember that my purpose is academic, not polemic.

5- Update entries as new material becomes available.

6- Correct my errors and omissions promptly and publicly on the post where the error was made. If the error is egregious, I will additionally write a new, explanatory post.

7- Reply to correspondence as necessary promptly and politely.

8- Strive for the best writing and analysis that I am capable of producing--understanding that some days will be better than others.

9- Avoid posting off-topic entries unless I explain why I feel the need to go off topic.

10- Avoid criticizing the opinions of other bloggers.

Comments Policy: The comment system is open. I require an e-mail address to post a comment. I will not use of your e-mail address for any purpose other than its roll as comment verification in the Wordpress content management system.

Podcasting Policy: I have upgraded my hosting service so that I may do podcasting.  The .mp3 files are large and eat up a lot of bandwidth. So I will erase older podcasts from time to time. I will, however, preserve the entries and comments. I will archive only selected podcasts.

Book Review Policy: I do not solicit books for review. Weblogs are rapidly becoming a sources of book reviews as publishers tap into the power of the blogosphere to target likely customers. If I accept a book for review from a publisher, I will follow through with a review on Rhetorica. The nature and scope of a review will be entirely up to me. I will only accept books in my teaching discipline (journalism), my research discipline (rhetoric), or my areas of interest closely associated with Rhetorica and  my teaching and research (language and communication issues involving journalism, media ethics, and politics). I will approach each book from my disciplinary perspectives. In addition, I will comment on the rhetoric of a given book, i.e. what outcome the author intends, how s/he articulates that intention,  and what use a reader may make of it. I will link to any associated websites. I will link to the book's page on Amazon. I do not participate in any associate or advertising programs with Amazon or any other bookseller.

The Rhetorica Network provides an independent and academic voice in civic affairs. I do not accept advertising, tips, or other forms of compensation for this site. I am not now, nor have I ever been, in the employ of any political faction, politician, or party. I am paid by Missouri State University to, among other things, disseminate my research and expertise. The Rhetorica Network provides one venue for that effort.

About Andrew R. Cline, Ph.D.

Blogging and Comment Policy Addendum for Carbon Trace

The above policy is also in effect for Carbon Trace with these additions and exceptions:

Carbon Trace is a blog about the carbon-free transportation alternatives of walking and bicycling. It is part personal journal, part issue-advocacy, part opinion journalism. I serve my audience by striving for fair and accurate representations of bicycling issues in Springfield. It is my purpose to help people enjoy walking and bicycling in Springfield and to increase participation in these transportation alternatives.

1. The opinions expressed are my own and based on my experiences and reporting. Your results may vary.

2. I am a member of the STAR Team of Ozark Greenways -- an alternative transportation advocacy committee dedicated to promoting bicycling and walking in Springfield, Missouri. I have engaged in non-partisan political lobbying as part of my work with this committee and this weblog.

3. I do not solicit books or equipment for review. I accept books for review on the topics of bicycling, bicycle advocacy, transportation, urban design, and any other topic reasonably connected with alternative transportation. I will disclose all equipment sent to me for the purpose of reviews or tests.

4. For companies that choose to solicit my review:  I will write a review of all equipment I receive for review. I accept no other obligations to the manufacturer or promoter of equipment sent to me for review. All equipment sent to me for review becomes my property unless otherwise stated before equipment is sent. Manufacturers and promoters must provide return shipping containers and a paid return label from a shipping company that will pick up the shipment at my residence.

5. I reserve the right to sell advertising space on Carbon Trace. Paid advertising space does not include mention in the editorial space of the blog. I do not solicit tips from readers.

6. When reporting for Carbon Trace, I will always attempt to follow the best practices of opinion journalism as outlined in The Elements of Journalism.