Thanks for posting that. Two quick points:

1: I'd challenge your use of the term "outside earnings" as it suggests I'm "inside" the Guardian. I'm not. I'd prefer "other earnings", if that's OK.

2: If you're serious about this issue, why don't we create a website along the lines of the Westminster register of members interests to which freelance journos can submit regular statements of what they're earning, and from where? Obviously declaration would be voluntary, but I'd have thought willingness to participate would be an indicator of a writer's commitment to ethical behaviour elsewhere.
Perhaps a project for the Oxford journalism crew?

m

1. Thanks for that. Point taken on the insider matter - my apologies. Correction made. (I don't know if it is correct blogging protocol to make silent amendments - but it seems the simplest.)

2. Yes, I'm pretty serious about this. I think there too many readers in the dark. And too many journalists who are conflicted, or don't know whether they are conflicted or not, & not sure what they should reveal and to whom and what is genuinely private and no one else's business.

(I'm guessing, but I think Charles Arthur might fall into a few of those categories.)

I think a register could well be a good answer. But I think there is a fair amount of discussion needed first about what the groundrules are. Clarifying those would be a major job in itself.

Les

The honest blogger uses strike out ("strike") to amend, so that you can see what was there and what's been changed.

I have no "clients" apart from UKC, with which I've been associated for over 10 years, and which (as I noted before) wouldn't necessarily benefit vis-a-vis other sites from free data because *every* site could offer it, creating no difference in relative value. (I think you ignored that because it doesn't suit your point of view.) The payment does not depend on the site's performance. The annual amount I get paid is less than 2% of my Guardian salary. I have no other "clients". I own no shares in any companies. I am not a director of any companies.

Now tell us about you and your "clients". Would any of them benefit from data remaining under Crown Copyright? Do they try to sell into local councils whom you write about? Do you 'media train' companies you write about? Do you own shares? Do you write about companies in which you own shares? Are you a director of a company? If so, do you write about tax matters? Might there not be a conflict? Give it to us. We want to know.

Come on - you'd better get on the ethics train too. Because it seems to me the only way you'll avoid appearing cowardly and hypocritical is to answer up. Remember as you're writing - it was your idea. I'm looking forward to reading about you. Start the register here, with yourself.

I'll give it some thought. The main difficulty that strikes me is that of authenticatig

m

I don't know what happened upstairs, but I meant to say that I will give the public register of interests some thought. As one difficulty seems to be that of authenticating identities, it might work best through an existing membership organisation such as London Freelance Branch.

I'd welcome suggestions on where to go from here, but under real names only, please.

m

I have received payments in recent years from

Reed Business Information
New Statesman
Haymarket
News International

& various charities and voluntary organisations which I won't name. Some are big (three from the top ten UK charities). Some are small disability, children's or criminal justice charities. I don't do PR for any of these, only what I think of as educational materials.

If I think there is a conflict, or the appearance of a conflict, I discuss it with editors. And anyone else who might be interested.

I have shares in HBOS and Alliance & Leicester. They just came in the post one day.

My rationale for writing here is fairly stated on the masthead graphic thing. I write it because I want to. I don't get paid anything for this blog. I don't write to anyone else's brief or commission. I'm not trying to impress anyone, or do anyone a favour. I won't be bullied, and I don't care much what anyone else thinks.

Will this declaration be enough to stop the editor of the technology bit of the Graun thinking I'm cowardly and hypocritical? Dunno. Don't care.

Les