Would you write for a site you found morally disgusting?

If I had a moral objection to the company or the content in which I was being asked to write then I would have to say goodbye and not write for them. Money comes and goes but your honor and integrity or lack thereof are a part of you. I can not go against what i believe to be morally right or wrong. However, I will add that I am very liberal so for me to find something morally offensive it takes a bit of searching.

Don't get me on my soapbox on commercials that are targeted towards kids and have sexual undertones. I know sex sales but it is never acceptable to use sexual undertones to promote products to kids. I know I can switch the channel if I don't approve of the show being aired but it is hard to switch channels constantly to avoid such commercials. Grr. OK I am getting off my soapbox.

 

I have No Morals :-p J/K

 

I would probably not do it unless it paid really really well.

 

It depends on how morally corrupt it was.

For example, one time I had to write about dating sites that cater to married people. I didn't agree with the subject matter, but I didn't find it detestable enough to turn down the job.

However, if the job involves promoting child porn, hate crimes, etc. then no, I wouldn't do it. I also don't write other people's term papers. Not saying that that's in the same league, but it's another form of writing that doesn't sit well with me.

 

I have to agree with ladyofthehour. There is a difference between websites being generally morally objectionable and those which go against your own personal principles.

I'm quite willing to write on controversial subjects or for risque websites, but I have turned down writing work for sites that promote a service which invades people's privacy. I knew that the whole time I was writing it there was no glimmer of hope for me to enjoy myself, so what's the point? There's enough work out there that doesn't provoke those feelings so I have little reason to take the job.

I'd like to think that even if work was slow I'd still turn down the job.

 

This is silly, just because you are writing and accepting payment for something doesn't mean you condone it. I'll write about absoutely anything, regardless of morality/legality (apart from kiddie porn cos that disgusts me). I'll write about gambling all day long if needs be cos it's something I know a lot about and is extremely profitable. Think about crime writers writing about gruesome murders? They can make millions from it, but it doesn't mean they solicit murder!

 

If it involves adult content, no. I don't think I can write good about something that disgusts me.

 

That argument makes absolutely no logical sense. Reporting the facts of a case (what crime writers generally do) is entirely different than if they were writing a how-to on committing the crime (more in line with what you'll see on content sites, even if not necessarily about murder).

And as for writing about something not meaning you condone it, it doesn't really matter what you believe internally. Once you've written it, it's "out there" and has the potential to affect your image as a professional to members of your target market. For example, if your name is tied to adult content, and someone stumbles across that, chances are that you're not going to land a gig writing about education or parenting issues.

Beyond that, you can damage your professional reputation even if it's ghostwritten work. Clients talk. It's the nature of the business - in most cases you hope that talk leads to referrals. But the wrong talk with the wrong people can put you in a lousy position if that "unethical" project isn't in line with the interests of your primary markets. It's image management 101 - never do something you wouldn't want others knowing about. You made the point yourself by mentioning a topic you would never write about. Gambling on the other hand might be alright with you, but that same topic could damage the career of other writers. That's why the OP asked if you'd write about things YOU found morally disgusting - and it seems you, like many here, would not.

 

No.. I wouldn't write on any topic that I will not enjoy working on.

 

I know this is months down the road but... no way.

I couldn't and wouldn't. I've turned down several projects over the years just for that reason. Money isn't worth it. I have to look myself in the mirror every day. How can I do that without wincing if I promoted something that disturbed me or made me feel morally disgusted?

And how can I talk to my family with a measure of freeness of speech, knowing I've compromised my values for cash. Not possible. It's called integrity. And when you sell that for cash we become something disgusting ourselves.

Andre

 

No. Absolutely not. Life's too short.

 

Not unless they offered millions. My morals don't come cheap

Had plenty of offers from potentially scammy people or deceitful companies... no thanks!

 

No, I would not. I had a job offer just to post forum threads on this site that sells Salvia, some supposedly legal dope. I have been sober for 13 years and I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I am not a prostitute and will not be pimped out for a buck or two. How can I write BS that I don't feel? It is against my creative energy as much as anything else. Ask me if I would write about something that is immoral according to society but I don't think it is... No problem I guess it really depends on the price. Even I could not pass up say 10 grand or some outrageous figure. I'll go and make a confession on the way to the bank!

 

For me, I would not write something that against my own principle such as for porn site, gamblings and etc.
Futhermore, I dont really have knowledge on those topics. Hehe

 

Hey, this is off topic, but I clicked your link and nothing came up. I tried it a few times.

 

I dont do adult stuff, I dont a moral objection, I just dont have the mind-set to write that kind of text.
The only thing I wouldnt do is something like a cancer cure magical drug or something on those lines that i knew not to be true.

 

it kinda depends if your name isn't used then why not especially if it is allot of money. But if you do it for more than the money no.

but yet again it depends on what the topic is

 

In America, we have a word for people who put money first above all else (morals, etc): WHORES.

Your name on it or not doesn't matter. If you trade yourself for cash, you're a whore.

Have fun with that.

I'll keep my honor, word and morals. Thanks.

 

I believe you can work from outside the Box. I could write about anything and everything. Writing about something i felt morally unhappy about would allow me to research my own feelings towards that particular subject and write in the third person. After I am done I would have a stronger more educated opinion. I see that as a positive.

Take an evangelical Christian for example. I recently seen a documentary on this and feel that this would be something I could never promote. But it would be interesting to try to understand how these folk think. Being paid to do it would work for me!!!

 

I would write about issues that i do not agree with if the content is not going to cause any harm or mislead people.