Here, on how user reviews and the wisdom of crowds don't do us much good if businesses are able to silence anything that raises concerns about them.
For further reading...
- Laura K makes a similar point here.
- CBC reports on libel chill here, including a discussion of the Ottawa property manager which managed to intimidate a tenant into pulling an unfavourable review.
- Again, Mike De Souza discusses Exxon Mobil's attempts to silence his reporting on ALEC here. Jenny Uechl and Warren Bell expose Canada's links to the Western Energy Alliance - including its dirty war against the public - here.
- And finally, CBC reports on Kinder Morgan's attempt to silence protestors and the #kmface movement which responded, while Lauren Krugel notes that there's ample reason to doubt Kinder Morgan's own spin.
I just had some dealings with a business that will remain anonymous because I get to wear a mask here as well. They sent an email saying more or less: "How did you enjoy our service? If you were happy please go to URL and tell everyone about it. If you were not happy please contact email@domain."
ReplyDeleteI totally understand where they are coming from but if you want the good stuff public you need to have the bad stuff public too.