The United Nations Special Representative for Sudan, Jan Pronk, got into hot water recently for sentiments expressed inter alia on his weblog, which culminated in his being declared persona non grata by the government of Sudan.

He has now responded with a spirited defence of blogging in general, and blogging as a senior political figure involved in a delicate and dangerous political situation in particular.

First, he points out that despite the press spin ("Envoy Kicked Out of Sudan for Blogging", that kind of thing) in fact the statements that got him into trouble were not in any way Special Sekrit Blogging Thoughts.

It has been said that my blog reflected my personal opinion, different from an opinion in my capacity as Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations in Sudan. This is nonsense. In my blog I said the same as in press conferences and on other public occasions, attended in my official capacity. How could somebody in my position make a distinction between official and private?

He explains that he has two reasons for writing a weblog:

First, I like combining my work as a politician with analytical reflections on what I am doing and on the environment within which I am working. I have always done so, by lecturing, by writing articles and essays and by making extensive notes for myself. It helps me focus. Blogging for me was a convenient extension of this practice, simply by using a new instrument. I had a second reason. Why not share my reflections with others? I wanted to be accountable, not only to the UN bureaucracy in New York, whom we were sending regularly extensive analytical reports, but broader. I consider myself much more a politician than a diplomat. Politicians have to be accountable and transparent.

He muses a bit on the difference between his role, as a political actor and insider, and that of a journalist, and cautions against confusing the two. And he concludes with five rules of political insider blogging:

1. Present only facts, not rumours or hearsay. Check the facts; don’t make up stories.
2. Present only quotes of public statements. Do not quote what other persons said in official or informal meetings. In references to such meetings only quote your self. Do not breach confidentiality.
3. Present criticism in a balanced manner. Approach all parties alike. Be even handed.
4. Do not attack individual persons. Criticize organizations, institutions or movements. Criticize their values, policies and behaviour, when they are in conflict with internationally agreed principles and norms.
5. Do not only present criticism. Do not only report negative developments. Highlight also positive facts. Do not withhold praise, when deserved.

All exceptionally sensible. Go read the original article in full. And remember as you do so that this man is trying to prevent (or at least stop) horrendous atrocities.