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Comments about comments
Our website comments have been a hot topic since we removed comment moderation in 2009.
Readers are able to leave a comment on pretty much any story at www.middletownpress.com, and the comment appears immediately and allows others to respond right away.
This provides a forum for local discussion, and over the past year, discussions have taken off on any number of topics. We believe providing this forum is an important part of keeping the community engaged in what is going on.
But not everyone plays by the rules. We frequently see nasty comments, obscene words or hateful remarks. Our guidelines prohibit these comments, and we remove them when we see them. However, with more than 200 comments per day on some stories, we cannot monitor every story every hour of every day.
This is where YOU come in. We expect the readers to help us monitor the site. By clicking "Report Abuse" underneath the inappropriate comment, our editors (myself included) will immediately be sent an e-mail alert and can take the comment down.
We have also set up a system on our staff where everyone has been assigned a specific hour of the day to go in an check out the comments BEFORE they become a problem or get reported.
While there are things we could do with our site - anything from pre-approving comments to requiring registration - we find that these options would kill the debate, limit free speech and would not do enough to limit inappropriate comments as anyone can set up a fake e-mail account or register with a fake name.
In terms of liability - we frequently get complaints that say "how could YOU publish this???" - I have to refer to the Communications Decency Act, which provides immunity to operators of websites for allegedly defamatory content provided by third parties.
As long as the staff of The Middletown Press does not go in to edit the comments, or respond to comments that are inappropriate or defamatory while choosing to leave them up on the website, or in other ways exercise substantial editorial control over the comments posted, we are not responsible for the comments, the law says.
However, we will do our due diligence and to remove inappropriate comments in as timely a manner as possible.
Anyone who has a problem with a particular story or comment is welcome to contact us here at the office and we will look at the story or comment immediately. Until then, happy commenting, and keep it appropriate!
Readers are able to leave a comment on pretty much any story at www.middletownpress.com, and the comment appears immediately and allows others to respond right away.
This provides a forum for local discussion, and over the past year, discussions have taken off on any number of topics. We believe providing this forum is an important part of keeping the community engaged in what is going on.
But not everyone plays by the rules. We frequently see nasty comments, obscene words or hateful remarks. Our guidelines prohibit these comments, and we remove them when we see them. However, with more than 200 comments per day on some stories, we cannot monitor every story every hour of every day.
This is where YOU come in. We expect the readers to help us monitor the site. By clicking "Report Abuse" underneath the inappropriate comment, our editors (myself included) will immediately be sent an e-mail alert and can take the comment down.
We have also set up a system on our staff where everyone has been assigned a specific hour of the day to go in an check out the comments BEFORE they become a problem or get reported.
While there are things we could do with our site - anything from pre-approving comments to requiring registration - we find that these options would kill the debate, limit free speech and would not do enough to limit inappropriate comments as anyone can set up a fake e-mail account or register with a fake name.
In terms of liability - we frequently get complaints that say "how could YOU publish this???" - I have to refer to the Communications Decency Act, which provides immunity to operators of websites for allegedly defamatory content provided by third parties.
As long as the staff of The Middletown Press does not go in to edit the comments, or respond to comments that are inappropriate or defamatory while choosing to leave them up on the website, or in other ways exercise substantial editorial control over the comments posted, we are not responsible for the comments, the law says.
However, we will do our due diligence and to remove inappropriate comments in as timely a manner as possible.
Anyone who has a problem with a particular story or comment is welcome to contact us here at the office and we will look at the story or comment immediately. Until then, happy commenting, and keep it appropriate!
posted by The Middletown Press at
12:40 PM
4 Comments:
My Dear Ms Editor And Chief
I have a response to this subject but no time to type it. Of course I have something to say about your post... try keeping my big yap shut. I see two new blogs. Movie and Trek.I think I have a good story idea for Mr G pertaining to an indie film by a local man debuted at Tribeca Sunday and this Trek woman sounds refreshing, something us/we jaded locals need. Also, newlyweds touch this long time married girly heart 'o mine Please ask them to open anonymous post area? Thank you, Sardonica
Drats, now I have spent time typing so here goes. Why does a person have to register in order to report abuse but not register in order to comment. This does not make sense to me.It should be the same in both areas or make it more difficult to comment than to report an abuse. the latter being more important in my opinion. Why a few of my comments were pulled recently I have no idea. I do try to be respectful enough at all times. Sardonic, yes, but politeness and kindness is always in my thought process. I am confused as to how my posts may be read or is the reader / censor prejudging??? Yes, I see a wishy washy thing going on in these sections.Maybe you have to better define your stand on this matter and not leave it to the subjective opinion of who ever is chekcing at the hour of a post.No time to reread and edit my entry so here goes with the post. Busy day
Sardonica,
We have a policy on what comments get removed (inappropriate) and which IP addresses get blocked (repeat offenders). All of us on staff are trying to operate under those guidelines when removing comments.
I do agree that it is very difficult sometimes for a reader to report abuse. We are working with our online department and possibly a new web platform will help us solve this issue. At this time, an e-mail address is required to report abuse, but it does not have to be a valid one.
Viktoria Sundqvist
Editor
To Viktoria S:
This blurb is on the front page of your online version promoting the understanding of what goes into getting your daily out. Given that you are the editor, I would read these words carefully. There is a glaring error.
From: Victoria N.
From the Editor
Editor Viktoria Sundqvist will share what's going on behind the scenes at The Middletown Press and what goes into making a small daily newspaper work in today society.
And another, Ms. Editor. Read carefully:
We have also set up a system on our staff where everyone has been assigned a specific hour of the day to go in an check out the comments BEFORE they become a problem or get reported.
As a writer, I am becoming dismayed that, in our haste to get our words written, many are beginning to ignore the art of proper grammar and spelling. Though we are all entitled to and will, in fact, make errors, I would hope that those who earn their living with the written word would be extra diligent with respect to their craft. I think I may be fighting a losing battle.
Best,
Victoria N.
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