Tim O'Reilly's proposal for a blogging code of conduct, which I'd assumed would run quietly into the ground, has made the front page of the New York Times. The tech publisher's scheme, a well-meaning but misguided response to the "death threats" against Kathy Sierra, would encourage bloggers to declare that they'd use a second source before publishing gossip, or require contributors to give their names. While we're at it, how about an ombudsman, required ethics courses at J-school, and regulation by the FCC? Because that's worked so well for America's breathtakingly turgid daily newspapers, and bland network news.

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