A couple of months ago, it became overwhelming and we cinched the hose at the only point we could: the source. We turned off the comments portion of our Web site.
As a newspaper publisher and First Amendment fanatic, that was a difficult choice. I'm a fan of reader comments, a reader of reader comments, and a supporter of the concept of reader comments. And I want to be clear about why it happened and why it could happen again if things don't change.
We like our readers to have an outlet to share their finest thoughts about any topic. The way we look at it is we get smart people sharing their viewpoint with no strings attached for our other readers to enjoy, deconstruct or debate.
When the interaction gets personal, mean or abusive, we feel the need to step in. Let's be honest, this is often typical and expected behavior on the Internet. But it's not acceptable when it's on our Web site. Legally, we could let every misstatement or libelous phrase stand. Ethically, we're not going to do that.
So we want a platform for every voice to be heard. But we're going to step in when some voices try to use technology to drown out competing voices. This is everyone's playground, and we'll shut down the playground before we allow bullies.
ADVERTISEMENT
Sadly, we saw readers creating multiple log-in accounts with clearly fictitious names using that anonymity as a cudgel to bludgeon other users of our Web site. That's not OK. We also saw people violate our ethical standards by providing information -- false or correct -- that we went out of our way to prohibit. For instance, the victims of sexual assault, because of the stigma, will never be identified in print or on the Web on our watch. Yet some have tried to circumvent this. We won't allow it.
What we're trying to accomplish is to build a virtual community center where people are free to express themselves and be heard, and also can listen to others.
But let's be clear about what happens if instead of erecting a community gathering place, we just dig a hole. We'll turn the comments off again. Then we'll require a photo ID and personal visit to our office to set up an account to comment on stories. If that fails, we'll shut it down again.
In short, we're trying to erect a monument to the intelligence, creativity and knowledge of our readers. If we feel we're digging down instead of building up, we'll flip that switch again and disable comments.
But we don't want that. We want every bit of humor, debate and interaction to flow across our platform. But if people are hell-bent on defying that goal, and will use every bit of technology at their fingertips to overwhelm our staff with problems, we'll cinch the hose again and be back to where we were.
In short, we built this park for you. Please play nice, because we like having you here. But if you can't be nice, the gates will close.
The Pioneer Journal editorial represents the voice of the newspaper's editorial board. Today's editorial was written by Steve Schulz, editor and publisher.
