Have you ever been mis-quoted or taken out of context? As a syndicated columnist with articles appearing all over the Internet, my writing has been quoted and misquoted throughout the world. On the one hand, it’s kind of cool realizing that my columns and articles have been translated into dozens of languages. Someone must find value in them or it wouldn’t happen — although it would be nice if websites that steal my stuff shared some of their advertising income with me.

On the other hand, I have no control over how people misquote or mis-represent me. I can make requests, but they don’t have to change it.

For example, just this week a guest writer for the Sierra Leone News was railing on President Mamadou Tandja of Niger, making an argument that Tandja has been in office too long and needs to step aside. To help make his case he quoted from an article I wrote in 2006 about the seductive nature of power. The problem? The way he (mis)-quotes me, it looks like I was writing specifically about the Nigerian president. And, the author referred to me as “an expert on the seductive nature of power.”

Hmmmm. I hold no such training nor certification. I simply wrote about it.

This event reminded me of an article that appeared in the Scotsman a few years back, in which the author quoted one of my columns about anger in the workplace—and referred to me as “an international expert on anger.”

I’ve been to 12 countries, but I don’t think I’ve been angry in all of them….

This week I also received a phone call from my doctoral advisor at the University of Idaho. She said someone told her I was promoting myself online as already having a doctorate (a no-no when you don’t have one!). I assured her I’ve done no such thing, but that I have no control over what titles people may give me on their own blogs and websites.

Why am I writing this? Two reasons. First, I have no reason to bash the Nigerian president, so there’s no reason for him to send a hit squad. Second, with so many people blogging and quoting others, I want to emphasize the need for intellectual honesty. If you’re quoting someone, do it professionally.

This means give their real title, and show how a quote relates to your opinion — don’t word it so their quote looks like they were talking to you about your subject.

Personally, I think the mainstream media is out of touch and intellectually dishonest. Therefore, most of my news and info comes from comparing and contrasting what I read online. But a true free press requires intellectual honesty … and if you’re going to blog and quote others, you’ll earn (and keep) respect when you keep everything above board.

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Filed in Technology, Opinion, Columns, Internet, Workplace