o FTC Toughens Endorsement Rules For Bloggers

Going forward, the FTC will require bloggers to clearly state when they receive cash or "payment in kind" for endorsing a company's products or services. So if Blackberry pays a blogger $5k to say good things about the new Blackberry Curve, the blogger must disclose he or she was paid by Blackberry for the rave review.

Failure to disclose the connection could lead to fines of $11,000 per violation. Its a way to separate unbiased endorsements from paid endorsements.

Does that mean the government cannot pay public relations firms to promote certain programs or laws without full disclosure? Does that mean the "earmarks" on spending that benefit special interest groups have to be reported? Because as a lawmaker, you want to endorse a bill independently and not get paid in kind with political favors or campaign funds, right? I think the FTC rule should be pushed to its logical conclusion, that if you get a kick back or pay someone for opinions or votes, the public should know about it.