Ventura editor tired of "comment" cesspool

Editor Joe Howry is going to do away with reader comments if commenters don't clean up their act.



http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/may/07/howry-cleaning-up-the-comment-cesspool/

 

I checked back on my old shop's site a bit ago and they're now using some kind of system where posters comment via their Facebook accounts. It at least attaches a name to the damn things, which seems to have helped a lot.

 

I continue to be amazed that no matter what the story, the comment stream, within five postings, becomes about how Obama is/is not a socialist destroying America.

 

Kind of the same thing with my paper, only the comments on every story seems to go to the "illegal immigration/Mexicans are ruining our town" variety.

 

Around here, it devolves into a Bammer/Barner fight

 

My favorite comment:

"One more reason not to buy the Star."

Yes. Because clearly you've been buying the Star if you are spending all of your time on the free online site making comments.

 

If I ran a newspaper, my FIRST act would be to require names and addresses on Web comments. My second act would be a front-page editorial stating I'd rather go out of business than depend on gutless psychotic pukes to stay in business. Maybe losing anonymous commenters would drive down Web traffic to disastrous levels. But I doubt it.

 

On the other hand, there are many websites that have vibrant comment sections full of insightful, funny, etc. posts. There is definitely a way they can add value to a website. Not sure if it's just due to better moderation or what.

 

Either get rid of comments or don't. Don't try to half-ass it.

 

Get rid of them. Serve little useful purpose. just a forum for morons with nothing else to do to vent their mindless dribble. I'm all for free speech but a newspaper website does not have to be that forum.

 

Comments serve a big purpose. That's why there are comments.
First off, you can't half-ass it ... and for some legal reasons. You can't edit comments, or they then fall under editorial purview and an entity can be held civilly accountable. You can only delete offensive comments.
Comments are the onramp of reader engagement (for better or worse). There are dozens of options of software that flag, alert and monitor boards. Why not invest a couple-thousand bucks before disenchanting reader and viewership on another media?
And, of course, I know that answer.

 

Comments must be allowed. They enhance the experience of reading the article. Unfortunately there are a lot of disgruntled people out there today. Rough times.