A controversial Blogging Code of Conduct has been proposed which would mean blog users would have to be careful what comments they write.

Several leading Web figures have got together to create a code of behavior that bloggers can choose to enforce on their site.

A badge system has been proposed whereby bloggers can show whether their site follows the Code and only allows content that it classes as acceptable behavior.

Unacceptable behavior would include material used to abuse, harass, stalk, or threaten others, and also material that is libelous or violates the privacy of others.

Alternatively, blogs that do not censor their posts or comments would be able to have a different badge to indicate that "anything goes".

The Code was created to help combat offensive and abusive comments, often from anonymous posters, including recent death threats on some high-profile blogs.

However, many have criticized the plan. Some bloggers have taken offense at the idea that their sites should be labeled with a badge, and others claim they would feel restricted by the proposal, and even that having a Code of Conduct goes against the nature of blogging.

Others believe that a Code would be a positive thing and that most bloggers already follow their own set of informal rules to decide what is offensive and what is allowed.

Draft Blogger's Code of Conduct

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