Disclosure Statement
I make my money by working as a consultant to a range of clients. I also write and offer commentary on radio and TV.
I don’t have any investments in companies or sectors I write about.
I will not write about a company, institution or individual where I do not have freedom to write what I believe to be the truth. I will not allow the subject to alter what I write except where I believe the piece can be improved upon by their input.
I do not take on work with companies or individuals that may create a conflict of interest with my role as an independent commentator or with other clients — as I interpret it. If any conflict of interest, or perceived conflict of interest, arises I will flag it in my writing, or recuse myself from covering that topic. This, of course, is a judgement call on my part.
Although I am no longer a member of Dow Jones staff, I try to comply with its code of conduct, where relevant.
If I have a professional relationship with a company, I make clear to them that I will not make public anything I’ve learned in the course of our contractual arrangement, but that I’m free to write about them in any way I choose both during and after any contractual relationship.
I do not disclose my clients’ names except with their permission, or where it’s necessary to comply with my above commitments.
The only exceptions to this are media companies. I write about such companies freely, although I do not write about issues that may conflict with my own relationship with them, nor do I write about internal issues that I may be privy to. As a media consulant and commentator, I feel they understand, or should understand, better than most the need to feel free to comment on their activities, products or plans.
I receive review units and copies of products for purposes of review. Such products are returned, with the exception of where the cost of return would be more than the value of the product itself. In the case where the original shipper requests the item not be returned, it is held until the product no longer has a significant market value and is given away, usually to Freecycle. Software and books are not returned unless requested. In certain cases I request that devices are borrowed over a longer period for purposes of testing third party software or peripherals on them.
If you believe I still have one of your products and have not returned it, please accept my apologies and contact me.
I do not pay entrance fees to attend seminars, conferences or other paying events if I attend as a member of the media and intend to write about them.
I will not accept payment, payment in kind, or payment of expenses from a company for attending their press event. As an experiment I once attended an event organised by a media company that in turn charged technology companies for a chance to present to journalists at the event. I allowed the media company to pay for the trip there, and for accommodation, including food and drink. While no pressure, direct or otherwise, was placed upon me to write favorably, or write at all, about the event or companies that presented at the event, or even to attend the sessions at the event, I don’t believe upon reflection this was a desirable arrangement and have not repeated it.
I welcome feedback from readers and others on this Disclosure Statement. It is a work in progress and a day doesn’t pass when I have to figure out what is acceptable. The bottom line, cloying though it may sound, is that I depend upon the trust of my readers and will try to assess every situation with the simple question: Would taking this project on make me less credible in the eyes of a reader?
