Posted by Further In
Regulation. To some the word implies safer markets and more consumer protection. To others it means market distortions and inefficient outcomes.
The fact of the matter is that regulation continues to grow and is ever pervasive. Apparently, the FTC has now decided to regulate whether or not bloggers have to disclose if they receive sponsorship from private firms to promote products.
While such regulation appears, on the surface, to keep consumers safer, the FTC’s implementation of the policy is disturbing to modern liberals. According to a recent Heritage Foundation blog post, the FTC goes so far as to require video game bloggers who receive free video games and consoles to review to disclose that information to face FTC fines.
Not only is such a proposition ludicrously difficult to enforce, it is also unnecessary. For instance, readers who follow popular technology blogs like Gizmodo and Engadget are generally aware that the commentators receive free or temporary samples of private technology in order to provide reviews. Trying to buy all the technology reviewed by these blogs would certainly be burdensome and unnecessary.
The FTC does not need to amass more regulatory power, even if it is in the name of “protecting” consumers. Further regulations, especially when they are relatively obscure and unknown inhibit free speech and contribute to the “over-criminalization” of American society. This message sponsored by people concerned about government regulatory encroachment.
© 2009 Farther Up and Further In
