Saturday, December 19, 2015

"Hertzberg: JT should not allow anonymous online comments"

I'm bumping this up because of ongoing interest in the Mark Hertzberg fiasco.  The story on the Journal Times has 54 comments as of this writing.

From The Journal Times.com:

December 15, 2015 12:15 am (23) Comments 

"It is reprehensible that The Journal Times continues to allow readers to post comments online anonymously. Many comments are mean and judgmental. In some cases, they are also racist. Some clearly show that the poster did not read the article carefully before hitting the keyboard because he or she is asking questions that were answered in the story.

"These comments do not advance community dialogue in any positive way. It is reasonable to assume that we would not read these comments if the writers had to sign their name, as with letters to the editor in the print edition. Indeed, the newspaper does not print letters to the editor without first verifying the identity of the letter writer. Why should online posts meet a lower standard as e-readership eclipses print readership?

"A Lee newspaper in Montana recently announced that it will not allow anonymous posts after Jan. 1. The Journal Times should follow the lead of its sister newspaper.

"Mark Hertzberg

"Racine"

Read more: http://journaltimes.com/news/opinion/mailbag/hertzberg-jt-should-not-allow-anonymous-online-comments/article_583bc263-308c-57f9-8e25-3f4681ccd009.html
I didn't even know that the Journal Times allowed anonymous commenting again.  The censorship  suggested by Mr. Hertzberg led to the creation of the JT Irregulars.
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15 comments:

Anonymous said...

The Internet is full of Stranger Danger - and weirdo stalkers - there are NO anonymous internet posters - only pseudonyms to protect the identity of the user - who must register and provide some information to the Blog being commented on. Hertzberg is a radical who has an agenda and practices the very same hate he claims other preach - he is an intolerant ass and a bigot.

Foxtrot Union Charlie Kilo The Journal Times and Mark Hertzberg-

Use fake names on Facebook and Twitter, says the head of government internet security

"Facebook and Twitter users should make up fake names and not use their real identity, according to a senior government advisor. Andy Smith, head of internet security at the Cabinet Office, claimed using pseudonyms online ‘a very sensible thing to do’.


Mr Smith told a Whitehall conference: ‘When you put information on the internet do not use your real name, your real date of birth. ‘When you are putting information on social networking sites don't put real combinations of information, because it can be used against you.’


Fraudsters could compile personal information ‘from Google, social networking sites, from email footers, all sorts of places’, he warned. Criminals were capable of ‘bringing this information together and cross-correlating information and then they are using it against you’."

Mark Hertzberg wants to enable criminals and fraudsters - or worse - he has a radical agenda and The JT is his Bullypulpit!

December 16, 2015 at 6:29 AM
Toad said...

What the hell have they been waiting for?

December 16, 2015 at 10:30 AM
Toad said...

Tricky Dicky, You probably have a stockpile of food also eh?

December 16, 2015 at 10:31 AM
Toad said...

Tricky, Another one. I pretty much say what I feel at the moment. If I screw up, and I'm wrong, I will freely admit my mistake and apologize to a person or group. I'll even apologize If I say something that just plain shouldn't be said, for the pain It may cause someone. Frankly It doesn't matter that much to me, but a person has a name, and SHOULD someone feel strong enough about something, they should use It In HONOR.

December 16, 2015 at 10:36 AM
Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
December 16, 2015 at 11:42 AM
kkdither said...

Wow. We respect each other here, and name calling is not allowed. I removed the last comment because it was inappropriate, was a personal attack, and against our policy.

As for anonymous posting, we used to allow it; however, and with much thought and sadness, we had to require a registered user name because people couldn't behave themselves. Our website was quickly becoming as trashy as the JT. As for requiring a verified, real name? I've never typed my real identity into forums or comment sites, and never would. I use a singular pseudo name and stand by what I say using that name. There are too many nut jobs out there with radical opinions and the willingness to go after someone in anger. You'd be a fool to use your real name to comment on anything.

The Journal Times requires, at minimum, a pseudo name, with a verified email address. Your IP # is available, and your Internet connection can be officially traced through court order. Journal Times allows comments because it produces more interest. More interest sells more web subscriptions and more newspapers. Their comment section is used by a handful of non-productive people who use multiple account names, and spew nothing but garbage. It is really a disgrace to our community, as the opinions stated there do not reflect the general population. I personally don't see the value of reading their comments.

With administrative authority, it is easy to see that the JT trolls our website and other local websites for stories to publish. For a community our size, they do not service our citizens well, at all.

December 16, 2015 at 12:40 PM
Anonymous said...

KK stated: "Their comment section is used by a handful of non-productive people who use multiple account names, and spew nothing but garbage. It is really a disgrace to our community, as the opinions stated there do not reflect the general population. It is really a disgrace to our community, as the opinions stated there do not reflect the general population."

Really? And what do you base that on? Besides your personal opinion? You have no facts to base your groundless claims on - yet you state them as a fact - you are wrong to do so - that is NOT your right.

KK stated: "I personally don't see the value of reading their comments."

That is your opinion and your right to exercise as you will -

KK Stated: "The Journal Times requires, at minimum, a pseudo name, with a verified email address. Your IP # is available, and your Internet connection can be officially traced through court order. "

That is correct - and no one has ever, as far as I know, made any comment for which they were arrested or charged with a crime for. There are no anonymous comments and Mark Hertzberg is a whiner.


KK Stated: " We respect each other here, and name calling is not allowed. I removed the last comment because it was inappropriate, was a personal attack, and against our policy."

I believe that you apply a double standard, and I simply called a snarky comment - from a snarky commentator - out. I'm not whining or complaining about the comment - I fully understand the connotation - and it speaks to the intelligence of the commentator, who chose to submit a personal attack against me instead of commenting on the article, when
Toad stated: "Tricky Dicky, You probably have a stockpile of food also eh?" Interceding to protect Toad is your business.

Enjoy your day.



December 16, 2015 at 3:06 PM
OrbsCorbs said...

They wouldn't post my comment on the story. Too funny. Brings back memories of the good old days when the JT was at war with its commentators. Maybe another blog or two will spring up in reaction.

December 16, 2015 at 4:22 PM
kkdither said...

Everything posted on this type of a blog is an opinion. No one claimed anything to be fact. The comment referred to which was removed used derogatory name calling directly against one of our daily visitors and commentators, and was much more than "snarky," or "just calling someone out."

I stand by my opinion that it clearly violated our policy. We openly state the policy above every comment box : We believe in free speech, but do not allow malicious comments or personal attacks. Blog authors manage their own blogs and retain the right to remove comments they deem inappropriate. Administrators will moderate if necessary."

December 16, 2015 at 5:12 PM
Toad said...

Tricky Dicky, In response to the comment about the "Stockpile" It would be relative to a person possibly thinking everybody Is agains them. I for one have this belief, but It goes Wayyyyyyyyyyyyy back. However I don't believe the JT has the power to change much of anything. I remember the JT blog from the beginning. As a matter of fact, I spent so much of my time on the web playing games on the JT, that It had an impact on losing my job after 38 years with the company. At that time I don't remember anyone with the handle you now use. I do however remember many that were so nasty It became Impossible to even respond. IF you took the stockpiling of the food etc. as an insult, you have my sincere apology. It was only because of your dislike for Mark Hertzbrg, whom I have never talked to or met. I do however wonder HOW you know for CERTAIN he Is a "BIGGOT" "RADICAL" "PRAISES HATE" "ETC" And as for me being a genius, NOT. I worked most of my years In a factory, and with customer service regarding the factory. I am a High School Graduate, and that the whole shebang. BTW, I'm not a talented writer either, so what I write MAY not be PERFECT language. ALSO, IF you are one of the IRREGULARS on this site, using a different name SHAME ON YOU.

December 16, 2015 at 7:22 PM
Toad said...

Tricky Dicky, I'll just bet I knew your Mom, and Dad. I believe your Mom was one of the WONDERFUL nurses I worked with, and your Dad a VERY outgoing Firefighter? I believe when you grew up, you have LOT'S of friends I know, and worked with after I left the Hospital?

December 18, 2015 at 1:09 PM
OrbsCorbs said...

Last time I checked, they did publish my comment.

December 19, 2015 at 2:05 AM
kkdither said...

Thanks for bumping the post. I actually had time this morning to read through all of it... that is, after fighting through the multitude of pop up pages (no pop up blocked on the kindle) I have to admit that it was some of the most thought provocative responses I have ever read in their comment section in a long time.

There are plenty of criminal things going on from the right and the left. Neither side is the enemy. The real issue as I see it is when people allow the division or determination of political party to be their criteria in making their decisions. A true journalist should report all the facts, nonbiased. Allow the facts to speak, so the truth and direction of the people's choice can be made.

As for requiring full name disclosure in comments, I have to agree with the person who said you might as well allow no comments then, because you will never hear the truth that way. People will remain silent in fear of personal harm or retribution, such as loss of their jobs or businesses, or threats to their families.

There does need to be some level of accountibility and limit on liable, though. Just because there is anonymity, does not mean that anything goes, and you can spread any lies, bully and name call to discredit or intimidate anyone whose opinion you just don't like. There needs to be a balance and civility. I don't have the answers as to how that can happen.

December 19, 2015 at 8:00 AM
kkdither said...

P.s. that is one M.F'ing impressive list that commenter posted of investigatable items. It would cost a fortune to do, but it would sure clean house!

December 19, 2015 at 8:07 AM
OrbsCorbs said...

The author of that comment should send the list to the State Attorney General and the FBI.

December 20, 2015 at 2:30 AM

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