Blogging comes with responsibility and blogging responsibly is one of the first steps toward blogging with credibility. It’s not as easy as just stealing articles and quoting them. The following is the list of what I call guidelines to responsible blogging.

* Get Correct Facts: Information spreads so fast, so fast that often information becomes distorted as it is passed from person to person. Often as it goes down the trail, the wrong information gets passed along. Before writing a hot story, do a little research to make sure hat you wrote is even true. Even I have been guilty of un reponsible blogging and writing information that had little truth to it.

* Remember the Copyright Law: Though we do have the right of free speech, you can’t just go around publish content from other people, even if there is no copyright on the page. Besides, you work hard, it’s not fair for someone to just outright steal your work. Keep in mind, you can be sued for publishing information that isn’t yours, including photos!

* Consider the implications: Even though tomorrow is April first, consider that what you write might be taken literally. What you write has even the ability to damage someone’s career.

* Delete bad comments: Control your comments. Don’t just let anything slide through. I’ve been known to edit my comments to delete swear words and false information.

* Give credit: Credit your sources. Don’t just say sources include: answer.com, wikipedia.com, you need to actually point out in the article where that information was taken.

* Tax Laws: Pay your taxes. Blogging isn’t just free money without having to pay taxes.