The tyranny of anonymity

By Judith Whetstine

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There is no reason to continue allowing anonymous comments at KCRG.com. The experience at thegazette.com proves the merits of transparency in online community discussions.

Chuck Peters, CEO of SourceMedia Group, said last June in The Gazette that the purpose of the company's reorganization was “to improve the user experience with The Gazette, KCRG-TV9,  thegazette.com and KCRG.com.”

Thegazette.com comment rules transitioned from allowing anonymous comments to requiring registration with a real name. Staff monitor the postings for compliance with the rules.

Why? Comments in an April 16, 2010, Gazette letter to the editor offer a good explanation. The writer stated that the online “give-and-take between users is far more spontaneous and free than the traditional letters to the editor page.” The writer was rethinking “this opinion because anonymity has resulted in a troll who deliberately posts inflammatory rhetoric to provoke a response.”

As Jesse Washington stated in a Sept. 27, 2010, Associated Press story: “Internet anonymity has removed one of the strongest barriers to the type of language that can ruin reputations and end careers.“

Jason Kristufek heads the team that monitors thegazette.com. He said “complaining through flags about inappropriate comments … has been cut in half since registration” requires real names.

When a real name is not used, “we send an e-mail asking them to use their real name next time they comment. If they still don't, then we delete the account. We also enforce the guidelines of no name-calling, no personal attacks and nothing obscene. We delete comments regularly that contain those things.”

Jason has received “overall positive feedback from most users on requesting use of the person's real name.” He believes that there is a “higher level of conversation and not as many racial and personally insulting comments.”

The KCRG.com comments are still anonymous and the site has more of the less-civil type of discourse. For example, a brief Jan. 14 story on a prostitution arrest generated 66 comments that were primarily jokes.

When a reporter participates in the online discussion, the comments are more civil. Sports reporter Marc Morehouse got involved in the Jan. 18 discussion about an Iowa football player's dismissal from the team. The discussion became focused.

A reporter, however, should not spend all day coaxing folks into civil discussions.

Becky Lutgen Gardner, SourceMedia Group Senior Director of Information Content, said that for anonymous postings, reporters are “encouraged (and trained) to engage in this type of dialogue as long as it appears to be dialogue that is meant to engage and not ‘flame' anyone. We have on occasion asked commenters to discuss who they are … when they won't reveal that or continue to harass or intimidate, they are no longer able to submit comments.”

Comments online can be a valuable source of information and tips for reporters. During an Organization of News Ombudsmen meeting this past year, Dr. David Levy, Reuters Institute at Oxford, England, identified a trend of news organizations posting “documents online and asking their readers to review them when there are not enough reporters.”

Thegazette.com transition away from anonymous comments has created more credible, informative and interesting discussions.

KCRG.com needs that improved user experience.