Newspaper sites criticized for publishing inappropriate comments
A number of newspaper sites that allow readers to post comments on news stories are getting criticized for allowing inappropriate comments on their sites.
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel has been facing criticism for allowing comments on stories that are racist, among other things.
The Arizona Daily Star's StarNet.com has had to remove comments because many of them were inappropriate.
Both sites use forms of "reactive moderation," which means users can post comments directly on the sites (assuming they get through dirty language filters) and inappropriate comments are only removed if they are spotted or reported by other users after the fact.
But these incidents are causing the Daily Star to reconsider that approach.
Executive Editor Bobbie Jo Buel said recently:
"The Star created the comments feature to give readers a place to exchange ideas and information that would make us all smarter and build community. We hoped for tough but respectful debate. We posted guidelines prohibiting certain kinds of comments, but for the most part, we stayed out of the way and let readers speak.
"In the past month, though, more and more comments are violating our standards. Instead of offering constructive criticism, too many posts are just plain coarse.
"While we added the reader comments feature to give readers a place to talk, StarNet is still our house. And our editors and staff simply do not want guests who make vulgar, abusive, obscene, defamatory and hateful comments. If you want to live in that kind of neighborhood, go create your own online forum.
"Meanwhile, we've removed large chunks of comment today while we consider the future of the reader comments feature."
Jan 07, 2007 | E-MAIL | SAVE | PRINT | PERMALINK | DISCUSS(1)
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1 comments about 'Newspaper sites criticized for publishing inappropriate comments'Offensive and spam comments are a problem...
But if you don't allow commenting the only audience you'll get is adults used to the old media. So you'll be dead when the new technology generation grows up.
Posted by Icaterus at January 9, 2007 6:50 AM
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