12 Comments

Comment by Joe Ruiz on July 15, 2008 at 11:39pm

Kent, I think your public admonition is probably the best you can do given your circumstances. As I read your post, I started thinking about our blog at my site and how comments are handled... which is to say very little.

Since we started, I've basically been given free reign on blog comments. Granted, I haven't had a ton of comments to begin with, and I've only had a few simply nasty ones, but those that use unnecessary cursing or ad hominem attacks are simply deleted by me or one of the other admins.

I've chastised one commenter, but only for their posting of another Web site's information in their argument without proper sourcing, but I think it best not to edit anybody's comments at all. It feels like the best way may be to let it go or simply delete, but again, in your circumstances, your public retort will probably win out in the long run.

Comment by Marije van den Berg on July 16, 2008 at 6:56am

Have you thought about ranking the comments and giving the readers the opportunity to filter out / see only the high ranked comments?

Comment by Kent Fischer on July 16, 2008 at 8:16am

Marjie -- Who would rank them?

Comment by Kent Fischer on July 16, 2008 at 8:24am

After a discussion with my web folks, I now know that this statement in my original post is inaccurate: "We are not allowed to refuse publication based on content."

I can, in fact, delete comments. I was unaware of that. But I can only delete the whole thing. I can't edit the comments, or delete the offensive part. So this helps.

Comment by Ryan Sholin on July 16, 2008 at 8:47am

Kent - I often say there's two ways two solve comment moderation on news sites, whether we're talking about stories, blog posts, message boards, or anything else.

1. Identity: Make registration of some sort a requirement, ask users for a real e-mail address and maybe even a full name. Then, collect all their comments on a profile page of sorts so that their words stick with their identity.

2. Ranking systems: Inspired by Slashdot and Digg, there are lots of ways to turn on comment ranking systems (Think: Thumbs up/Thumbs down) and thresholds (Think: Don't show me comments with 3 Thumbs down or more.) But, it can be hard for this solution to work on a small scale. If you have 10 or 20 regular commenters, that's probably not enough.

As far as editing comments goes, U.S. libel law is most definitely NOT on your side if you're changing the content of comments. If you simply approve or delete each comment without doing any editing, you're probably protected 99.8% of the time, with no examples of the other .2% that I can pull off the top of my head.

Comment by Kent Fischer on July 16, 2008 at 10:17am

I've written, but not yet published, an item for my blog reminding readers to keep it clean. I post here for feedback. I'm afraid it sounds too "parental"?


Here's the proposed item:
When we launched this blog in mid January, we wanted to create a place where community members could meet to discuss the direction and efforts of its city's public schools.

And, boy, have you all done that. The blog just had its six-month birthday, and will soon record its 4,000th reader comment. Many, if not most, of those comments are thoughtful, on-point contributions to the debate. Lately, though, I'm seeing more name-calling among a few commentors and, most concerning, ad hominem attacks on district employees.

I want to take a minute to remind readers that you are responsible for your words, even if you comment under a pseudonym. Our terms of service clearly state that your anonymity is not guaranteed should an aggrieved party sue over libelous or defamatory words you write on this blog. Of course, 99 percent of you need not worry one lick about that because your comments are cogent and respectful.

I hope I don't sound like a killjoy. Writing and overseeing this blog is the best part of my day. I truly enjoy and value the interaction with you all. And if any of you find a comment objectionable, please bring it to my attention.

Or would it be better to simply address flamers individually as instances occur?

Comment by Marije van den Berg on July 17, 2008 at 1:39am

As Kent said, ranking can be done by the readers themselves.

On a website I post on (Dutch local political party www.leiden.pvda.nl ) we have the possibility to "open" or "close" comments. It is a small community, so that works for us. You (as a reader) just ignore the commentors you don't want to read ;) .

Comment by Marije van den Berg on July 17, 2008 at 1:40am

And just ad you suggest, the editors of the website participate in the discussions and kindly ask to keep the disclaimer in mind.

Comment by Dave Brooks on July 17, 2008 at 5:24am

>"And, boy, have you all done that."

When I grew up in Virginia, "you-all" was hyphenated ... what's the style in Texas?
(Otherwise, I think your note is fine!)

Comment by Kent Fischer on July 17, 2008 at 6:36am

I like that idea, Marjie, unfortunately, my company's blogging software doesn't have a ranking function.

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