Should companies disclose that they monitor blogs?

Clients frequently ask whether or not they should let people know that they are monitoring what is being said in weblogs, chat rooms, discussion forums, newsgroups and so on. There are a number of pro’s and cons of letting people know you are monitoring:

PRO’s:

      It means your organisation is open to dialogue with its stakeholders, is listening, and is transparent (something for your CR report);
      It shows that your management is professional enough to be alert to the gorwing influence of the internet - enhancing corporate reputation.

CON’S

      This may inhibit (or provoke) what people say, distoring the true picture of your reputation;
      You risk turning discussion boards into customer service departments as people expect replies to their posts;

Of course, if you don’t disclose that you are monitoring web activity, then you are open to accusations of spying - particularly on what colleagues are saying.