1. There are no rules for bloggers except for these rules. Bloggers challenge the frontiers and traditional views of media, no one really knows what the limits to this media revolution are.

2. If you encounter other rules for bloggers, see rule #1.

3. Post regularly, get into a rhythm.

4. If you don’t have anything to blog about, don’t blog about anything (you can always post a YouTube video if all else fails) .

5. As soon as you hit the publish button, your content may be stored on multiple hard drives around the world. Its almost impossible to take back what you posted completely, so hit the save button and re-read your post the next day if you are not 100% comfortable or it may come back to haunt you.
6. Words can have a destructive affect, use them wisely. Ask your self the question: If my mother or other family read this, would I feel comfortable with what I wrote?

7. Be creative. Use links, YouTube, pictures, fonts, etc. if it helps you make your point. This is the advantage bloggers have over traditional media.

8. Don’t use foul language.

9. Try to stick with one major point per post. Make multiple posts for more than one major point.

10. Keep it short and to the point. This does not necessarily mean short posts.

11. Don’t use chat slang such as: lol, ;), brb, wtf, etc. Blogs should be a step up from your typical chat conversations.

12. Freedom of speech/expression is not freedom to spread hate propaganda:

“The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.” - Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

There are Canadian laws that address those limits which DO APPLY TO BLOGGERS. There are similar laws in most developed democracies.

Criminal Code of Canada

Sections 318 and 319 of the Criminal Code make it a criminal offence to:

• advocate genocide
  

• publicly incite hatred
  

• wilfully promote hatred

against an “identifiable group.”

An identifiable group is defined as any section of the public distinguished by:

• colour
  

• race
  

• religion
  

• ethnic origin

Canadian Human Rights Act

Section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act prohibits the communication by means of a telecommunication undertaking (including the Internet) of messages that are likely to expose a person to hatred or contempt on the basis of:

• race
  

• national or ethnic origin
  

• colour
  

• religion
  

• age
  

• sex
  

• sexual orientation
  

• marital status
  

• family status
  

• disability
  

• conviction for which a pardon has been granted

14. Post comments on other blogs and post links of blogs, thats your way of “voting” for the blog you like. It also increases their rating on search engines.

15. Enjoy your blog. Have fun with it.