Anonymity? Usually, with some exceptions
By Bill Barth
I have written in the past about the ongoing challenge of reader-generated postings to our Web site. Most of them are responsible, some nose right up to the line of good taste, and others try to leap over that line into the zone of utter mean-spiritedness.
Anonymity, in my view and the view of many of my fellow editors around the country, is the driving force. People sitting at a keyboard, figuratively if not literally in a dark basement, will say things anonymously they would never think of saying in the full light of day. We try to police the worst by reviewing comments before they are posted, and eliminating those that are clearly in bad taste.
So it’s interesting to watch the dust fly in Wausau, where the Daily Herald has been embroiled in controversy for handing over the identity of an anonymous poster to the person the postings criticized. The Daily Herald had honored a public official as its “Person of the Year.” Subsequently, the official’s critics were brutal in Web postings. The official protested, demanded the identity of one particularly tough commenter, and the paper handed it over. The official sent the person a cease-and-desist letter, on official letterhead. That was viewed as a threat, and sparked quite a controversy in the Wausau area.
The incident resulted in considerable news coverage in journalism trade publications, also made a few headlines around Wisconsin. The Daily Herald has clarified its policies now, and states it will only disclose the identity of posters in cases where the postings are viewed as threatening, or if the information is subpoenaed.
Here at the Daily News, we have tried to take a responsible path. We require users to register with us, so we have some sense of their identity, at least through their email address. We moderate the site, and refuse to post comments we believe cross too many lines. Even then, we have taken down comments a few times when readers have objected and made a good case that we should not allow something on the Web site.
Our policy has mirrored practices now in place in Wausau. We will not disclose the identity of a poster just because somebody calls us up and asks for it. On the other hand, we do not consider it our obligation to protect the identity of a poster like, say, we would protect the identity of a confidential news source. If a poster threatens someone or seems potentially violent, we will contact the police. And if presented with a court order or subpeona, we do not feel an obligation to resist or protect user identities. We will abide by the law.
The Web has opened new opportunities for citizens to express themselves and carry on a meaningful public dialogue. But it also has opened opportunities for nasty, mean behavior. Newspapers are struggling to find a balance, while maintaining our own obligations both to free speech, public forums and good taste.
Let us know how we’re doing.
