Tulsa World changes commenting policy

[Ed W]

The World is changing their comment policy to require both a real name and city for any new comments. Those without a subscription will once again be permitted to add comments after signing up, and users can register via Facebook if desired.

I suspect this has something to do with the assortment of trolls and mouth breathers who've posted anonymously, but I've tried to make it a policy to never read the comments. Unsurprisingly, the comments following the article are almost universally against the change. And you'll notice that none of them use their names.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/article.aspx/Tulsa_World_set_to_change_online_policy_to_require/20130721_11_A2_CUTLIN340351

[patric]

The World is changing their comment policy to require both a real name and city for any new comments. Those without a subscription will once again be permitted to add comments after signing up, and users can register via Facebook if desired.

I suspect this has something to do with the assortment of trolls and mouth breathers who've posted anonymously, but I've tried to make it a policy to never read the comments. Unsurprisingly, the comments following the article are almost universally against the change. And you'll notice that none of them use their names.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/article.aspx/Tulsa_World_set_to_change_online_policy_to_require/20130721_11_A2_CUTLIN340351

That will clear out a lot of crap and henpecking, but they will also loose something significant in the process (like the type of candid commentary that only comes when you know you wont be stalked or your house shot up).

More than anything, this is the Whirled getting lazy.

[RecycleMichael]

I think it is a smart move. Anonymous comments were really mean on the Tulsa World.

Why should a respectable news source allow anonymous people to hijack their story and make ridiculous statements?

[BKDotCom]

I still don't know why it's necessary to allow comments on the articles.
How does it do anything but detract from the integrity of the organization?
I think it would work better if the comments were hidden by default or in a forum "walled off" from the actual news reporting

forums.tulsaworld.com or something

[guido911]

I still don't know why it's necessary to allow comments on the articles.

Hate to make this political but let's face it. Anon. postings at TW have in my experience are largely from disgruntled disenfranchised people that feel their only way to be heard is that medium.

[sauerkraut]

I loged in and  posted comments on the TW site before you had to have a subscription in order to post.

[AquaMan]

No doubt. That's one of the reasons they've changed the policy to include names and city. It has been the most depressing feature of the newspaper.

[TheArtist]

That will clear out a lot of crap and henpecking, but they will also loose something significant in the process (like the type of candid commentary that only comes when you know you wont be stalked or your house shot up).

More than anything, this is the Whirled getting lazy.

 In order for a society to be that far gone it had to have come about because people allowed it to happen, because they didn't speak out. The kind of society one would have to live in where that would happen, comes about precisely because people don't speak out, because they were afraid.  Someone, you, me, has to stand up and stop it before it gets that far for not only will you eventually be at risk now, but over a loooong time, along with your friends, family, children, indeed the entire city.  I would rather be dead than live in constant fear and risk that happening to my city. Living in constant fear in such a society is just a lingering torturous death of another sort. This country stands proudly precisely because it has throughout history had stern people who stand up and speak in the face of danger knowing that if they don't they and everyone else might forever be living under it.  Don't be someone who cowers in the shadows.  If we don't have enough people in this city who are willing to speak out candidly on that papers website,,, we got deep problems.  That would be sad.

[sgrizzle]

They don't want to get sued anymore for giving out the commentor's real name to local restauranteurs.