Blogging guidelines essential?

As the world of blogging continues to develop, it is more important to have guidelines to follow while blogging. Any business that uses blogs, or that have employees that use blogs, should always have rules set in place to govern those blogs. After looking at some companies that have blogging guidelines, I think that it's essential to have policies set in place to protect the company. Some examples of essential rules that I found from other companies are as follows:
Some essential guidelines for personal employee blogging within the BBC-

If your blog makes it clear that you work for the BBC, it should include a simple and visible disclaimer such as “these are my personal views and not those of the BBC”.

Don’t reveal confidential information. This might include aspects of BBC policy or details of internal BBC discussions. Again, consult your manager if you are unclear about what might be confidential.

You should not use your blogs to attack or abuse colleagues. You should respect the privacy and the feelings of others. Remember that if you break the law on your blog (for example by posting something defamatory), you will be personally responsible.

All of these rules, in some way, apply to protecting BBC.
The BBC use guidelines for employees and they also have additional rules for their managers. It's important to have set rules for employees, but even more important for managers and executives. The higher you are in management, the more risky your behavior on blogs.
Another company that has guidelines for employees and managers is IBM. They have a very extensive policy for blogging.
Some things that IBM point out in their executive guidelines are-

Try to add value. Provide worthwhile information and perspective. IBM's brand is best represented by its people and what you publish may reflect on IBM's brand.

Don't cite or reference clients, partners or suppliers without their approval. When you do make a reference, where possible link back to the source.

These are just a few rules that I chose because I thought they were essential. Both of these companies have policies that are very in depth and lengthy. Having these policies, I'm sure, have saved a lot of head ache for their companies. These guidelines protect the company and it's employees.






Sources: http://commonusers.blogspot.com/2006/05/new-bbc-staff-blog-guidelines.html
http://www.ibm.com/blogs/zz/en/guidelines.html