Why Newspapers Shouldn't Allow Comments

In reference to a thread online, "Why Newspapers Shouldn't Allow Comments" is a recent article I enjoyed on Gawker.com.

Here's my comments about comments:

While I'm a huge advocate of "free speech", value web 2.0, and believe wholeheartedly in encouraging and engaging citizens in open discussion, I'm beginning to agree with this premise.

Who am I? Not a "human resource recruiter or a second rate manager" as one commenter so eloquently and caustic-ly (his/her term) blasted me.

I'm a blogger, marketeer, communicator, PR professional and human being, just like you. Ok, maybe not JUST like you.

I need the written, the spoken and the visual to learn about what is going on around me, so I can make informed and intelligent choices for me, my family, my community, my world. I would hope others do, too, whether you're new to Hampton Roads (like me) or a life-long resident.

The Gawker.com article's main points:

• Comments are thought to be an added value to newspapers, developing into an interesting, intelligent discussion. But, they almost never become interesting nor intelligent.
• Deeply personal articles, upbeat news stories and the like end up unreasonably abused in comments.
• Comments have not become the modern equivalent of the letter to the editor, as hoped.
• Why does a news story need to be opened up for comments in the first place? It's news, not opinion.
• Perhaps newspapers should moderate comments, or at least require the use of full names, but this is a misuse of their time, time which is limited more and more.

Newspapers online comments do improve their search engine optimization (a good thing) and fuel bloggers need for content (a great thing). We need newspapers, in whatever form or business model they end up taking.

I did like this quote: "If you ever want to lose faith in humanity, read any comments section on the internet." Amen!

My personal and professional concerns with comments? Most people believe what they see in print (including online). I'm not as worried by the one or two negative comment-ers. I'm worried about the cascading effect those few have on the many. Please don't believe everything you see written in comments unless authored by an authority or, better yet, referenced with relevant sources.

I'd love to do some research on "most comments received". It seems the hot topics for comments tend more toward the US or Entertaintment Weekly versions of news such as hottest bartender, prom fashions or auctioning a bridal party position on eBay.

What can/should comments help us do as their part in social media? Communicate, Collaborate, Connect, Create, Collect wisdom, develop Community, Converse, all leading to the big "C": CHANGE.

If one makes comments online, here are a few guidelines:

(1) don't find yourself accused of "astroturfing" or "sock puppeteering". That's Web 2.0-speak; look it up. Google can help you

(2) don't say (write) anything that you wouldn't be willing to say to someone's face (my mother taught me that one, akin to talking behind one's back)

(3) if you're willing to say (write) some of the ridiculous or malignant things seen in comments, then please consider contacting Newport News' Achievable Dream Academy and ask if they could start an Adult Remedial Education program

Please keep the comments coming. Let's just all strive for interesting and intelligent!

Here's the article, if you care to read what denigrating comments got me going today. COMMENTS