Home : Blogs : Ben Martin, CAE - VA Assn of REALTORS® : Ben's Blog

NAR wades into ethics of blog comment moderation

Hey Realtors: If someone posts a comment to your blog that disparages another Realtor, what do you do? Delete it? Edit it? Ignore it?

Under amedned and new Standards of Practice in NAR's Code of Ethics approved by the Board of Directors last week, Realtors will be obligated to delete or issue a clarification when a commenter makes a false or misleading statement as soon as the publishing Realtor learns that the statement is false or misleading. This has opened up a proverbial can o' worms with many unanswered questions, such as:

How does this affect Section 230 which protects Internet publishers from liability for comments posted by third parties?
Who has the burden of proof for proving that a statement is false or misleading?
What qualifies as a "clarification"?

There's a healthy debate on the matter over at VARbuzz, where this story broke. Have a look and chime in!

Posted by Ben Martin, CAE - VA Assn of REALTORS® on 05/20/2009 01:59 AM

Comments (28)

Social Media in the Online Marketing Channel

social media, blogging, ethics, nar, code of ethics

28 Comments on NAR wades into ethics of blog comment moderation

MAY

I remove comments talking disparagingly about people anyway on my blog, member of NAR or not. I've read the discussion on VARbuzz... interesting what ifs.

AR is a bit different than my real blog though... but disparaging personal remarks probably would get deleted here too.

MAY

I agree with Maureen-

What ever happened to the old expression/"If you don't have anything nice to say then say nothing at all"?

Ben, interesting debate over there about the new rule and the US Code. I guess we won't know until a case is filed to see how it will turn out.

I like my delete button but truthfully in 2 1/2 years of blogging have not seen an out and out attack on a specific Realtor, except on Bloodhound Blog. opps, can I say that?

The few times this happened it was disparaging ME not another realtor...no tolerance of another opinion and that of course made me wrong, stupid, etc....it's a new low to say we need rules for professional courtesey...

While I do agree with the spirit of the rule and would delete any disparaging comments without batting an eye, I see this as yet another rule that NAR will not enforce. Unethical and unprofessional behavior is rampant within our industry; another rule isn't likely to change a thing.

Personally I monitor my blog and delete at will. I think that anyone that gets out of control needs to be monitored. Delete, delete. Easy!

Really is it anything new? Too bad a few don't understand you could not disparage other members using old media, advertising, you can't using blogging, social media and whatever comes along next to disparage your competitors or other business models....

Yes you can get anonymous or non anonymous comments on a blog now that could be false and misleading. Why would you let others use you or your blog in that way? The entertainment value? It will be interesting to watch.

I had a great real estate teacher in 1989 when I started. Not only did he drill down MOL, he also said when talking about anybody in the real estate industry, if you are going to criticize start with "in my opinion" because that is what it is, an opinion. It also doesn't make since to disparage a whole group, but an individual should be confronted directly if you have a problem. I have had criticizisms behind my back but when I am face to face with them it's oh no I didn't say that.

NAR needs to stay out of our business. They have an addenda and it has gotten worse not better. Unless it is slander or illegal they need to stay away from our freedom of speech. You raise some very good points!

Ben: I personally detest anyone who disparages another. Yet it happens. People call each other out without always naming names. There have been times when I wonder why I'm here. I know everyone is entitled to their opinion but to tear someone else down to build yourself up is childish and unprofessional. Just my 2 cents! Thanks!

I have seen agents on this network attack the practice of other agents. Its even worse when its in print on the internet because its forever. I dont think they even realize what they are doing.

I think the DELETE BUTTON is the way to go. I don't waste any time on this stupid stuff. it's not worth the effort or thought.

Patricia Aulson/Portsmouth NH Real Estate

Just some new SOPs for Article 15 about making disparaging comments; been around a long time.

I reserve the right on my blogs to delete whatever I want.

Disparaging remarks won't get on there to start with.

I agree with Patricia...delete is best when in doubt. What a shame that it would come to that, though...

Sean Untamo www.realtorsean.com

Thanks for the link and update. I actually have never had a specific Realtor mentioned by name and have not seen many that do. Usually we just refer to a Realtor. I would not want to get that specific or personal whether or not there is an NAR rule.

This whole topic is silly.... I mean, Oooooops! Don't taze me bro! And don't report me! Ahahahaha.

NAR can't even handle enforcing ethics amongst us in general. One more nagging thing...

Very interesting Ben. I actually agree with the addition to the CoE. I have recieved more than 30,000 comments and I don't ever remember anyone disparaging a specific REALTOR(R) by name. I believe this is probably non-issue.

Ben, I would remove any slanderous or obnoxious comment from my blogs. With that being said, I've never had to remove any comments from my blogs. But I have had to report 2 slanderous comments (on others' blogs).

Mmmmm. I wonder if this will encourage folks who post and never read the comments to now do so.

I've deleted comments from a few folks who got nasty. Considering the thousands of comments I've received, it is not a problem.

However, I have been libeled on other platforms. Of course, the person posting the libel did so anomously.

MAY

I've deleted spam of course, and nasty comments (really bad ones). I have not deleted controversial ones or ones of people who differ in opinion if they are cordial.

Glad I'm not a realtor!

JUN

Interesting -- sounds like best to monitor all the posts if someone isn't -- all the best.

OCT

Ben, read Lenn's post and dropped by your blog today. Interesting post, I also like the knowledge of having the delete button...I haven't had to use it, and hope I don't.

Glad to see NAR responding to the changing environment.

Ben, I also stopped by from Lenn's post. I have had to use the delete button once for a person who was using my blog to promote their services by unprofessional conduct and verbiage.

Ben, Another member stopping by because of Lenn's post.

Have had my share of some spammers/advertising, ActiveRain makes it very easy for us to report these concerns.

OCT

BEN!!! you are definitely going to need to get back to the AR blog! I'm stopping in because I just saw where you were featured in the newsletter - Member Spotlight. Sweet!

I really enjoyed meeting you at the REBCLBG. You did a great job on your discussion about this whole topic. I'd love it if you would do more of this. it's needed!

Leave a response…

Name:

Email:
(optional)

Comment:

What does the graphic say?