Comments on: There is some value in anonymous comments http://blog.angelaconnor.com/2009/10/29/there-is-some-value-in-allowing-anonymous-comments/ Angela Connor on Growing Successful Online Communities Thu, 09 Sep 2010 07:26:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Dave http://blog.angelaconnor.com/2009/10/29/there-is-some-value-in-allowing-anonymous-comments/#comment-2997 Dave Sat, 13 Feb 2010 08:27:08 +0000 http://blog.angelaconnor.com/?p=1598#comment-2997 You say that transparency is a buzzword at the moment and I agree but only in that it compliments the idea of interconnectivity, expression and community. I think the real issue is that if like me you browse the web and like to read anything you stumble across I'm less likely to give my opinion in comment form if I have to register with the website in question to do so, if I can simply enter only the details I want to without having to navigate away from the page or do any confirmation email crap then everyone's a winner! However this is not always the case and that's a shame because it can be a real hindrance to communication which is what it's all about. You say that transparency is a buzzword at the moment and I agree but only in that it compliments the idea of interconnectivity, expression and community.

I think the real issue is that if like me you browse the web and like to read anything you stumble across I’m less likely to give my opinion in comment form if I have to register with the website in question to do so, if I can simply enter only the details I want to without having to navigate away from the page or do any confirmation email crap then everyone’s a winner!

However this is not always the case and that’s a shame because it can be a real hindrance to communication which is what it’s all about.

]]> By: lucas http://blog.angelaconnor.com/2009/10/29/there-is-some-value-in-allowing-anonymous-comments/#comment-2702 lucas Mon, 30 Nov 2009 23:17:45 +0000 http://blog.angelaconnor.com/?p=1598#comment-2702 Pixel-for-pixel, anonymous comments may or may not be of higher quality; it would be wonderful to see some data on that. Quality of comments, however, cannot be the only consideration for government agencies; there are free speech issues at play. Similarly, newspapers serve a vital civic role so they should be very hesitant to create conditions which might chill free speech. We found in a preliminary study in front of the US Capitol here in DC (http://athenabridge.wordpress.com/2009/08/09/data-about-anonymous-online-participation-with-government/) that requiring real names would leave far too many voices out of a national conversation. It would be wonderful to see a similar study on a larger scale. Pixel-for-pixel, anonymous comments may or may not be of higher quality; it would be wonderful to see some data on that.

Quality of comments, however, cannot be the only consideration for government agencies; there are free speech issues at play. Similarly, newspapers serve a vital civic role so they should be very hesitant to create conditions which might chill free speech.

We found in a preliminary study in front of the US Capitol here in DC (http://athenabridge.wordpress.com/2009/08/09/data-about-anonymous-online-participation-with-government/) that requiring real names would leave far too many voices out of a national conversation. It would be wonderful to see a similar study on a larger scale.

]]> By: If anonymity is no longer needed, let’s ditch the witness protection program… « The SiliconANGLE http://blog.angelaconnor.com/2009/10/29/there-is-some-value-in-allowing-anonymous-comments/#comment-2648 If anonymity is no longer needed, let’s ditch the witness protection program… « The SiliconANGLE Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:49:53 +0000 http://blog.angelaconnor.com/?p=1598#comment-2648 [...] I blogged about the upside and relevance of anonymous comments as they relate to news stories, some people balked. Jason Falls said at Social Media Business Forum [...] [...] I blogged about the upside and relevance of anonymous comments as they relate to news stories, some people balked. Jason Falls said at Social Media Business Forum [...]

]]> By: If anonymity is no longer needed, let’s ditch the witness protection program « Online Community Strategist http://blog.angelaconnor.com/2009/10/29/there-is-some-value-in-allowing-anonymous-comments/#comment-2638 If anonymity is no longer needed, let’s ditch the witness protection program « Online Community Strategist Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:17:39 +0000 http://blog.angelaconnor.com/?p=1598#comment-2638 [...] I blogged about the upside and relevance of anonymous comments as they relate to news stories, some people balked. Jason Falls said at Social Media Business Forum [...] [...] I blogged about the upside and relevance of anonymous comments as they relate to news stories, some people balked. Jason Falls said at Social Media Business Forum [...]

]]> By: Angela Connor http://blog.angelaconnor.com/2009/10/29/there-is-some-value-in-allowing-anonymous-comments/#comment-2612 Angela Connor Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:00:36 +0000 http://blog.angelaconnor.com/?p=1598#comment-2612 Hi there <strong>Seo</strong>: Thanks for the link. I still think there is a place for anonymity is terms of how ones name is displayed on comments on NEWS stories specifically. That is what this post is about. It is specific to news comments. A blog owner can do as they wish. Hi there Seo: Thanks for the link. I still think there is a place for anonymity is terms of how ones name is displayed on comments on NEWS stories specifically. That is what this post is about. It is specific to news comments. A blog owner can do as they wish.

]]> By: Angela Connor http://blog.angelaconnor.com/2009/10/29/there-is-some-value-in-allowing-anonymous-comments/#comment-2611 Angela Connor Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:58:50 +0000 http://blog.angelaconnor.com/?p=1598#comment-2611 Hey <strong>Mark</strong>: I didn't say anything about non-vetted. My stance is and has been that the comments are moderated. They should not be presented as fact and that should be clear on the site that they are user comments. I think people get that. It is not up to the public to act as journalists, but there is room for their voices. I think every news site should have standards and make sure that comments adhere to them. And by anonymous, I mean a screen name that does not necessarily give them away. The registration process for the site should ask for enough information so that the organization feels comfortable. We are in agreement that it shoudl be done in proper context. Hey Mark: I didn’t say anything about non-vetted. My stance is and has been that the comments are moderated. They should not be presented as fact and that should be clear on the site that they are user comments. I think people get that. It is not up to the public to act as journalists, but there is room for their voices. I think every news site should have standards and make sure that comments adhere to them. And by anonymous, I mean a screen name that does not necessarily give them away. The registration process for the site should ask for enough information so that the organization feels comfortable. We are in agreement that it shoudl be done in proper context.

]]> By: Mark @ AlchemyUnited.com http://blog.angelaconnor.com/2009/10/29/there-is-some-value-in-allowing-anonymous-comments/#comment-2606 Mark @ AlchemyUnited.com Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:47:15 +0000 http://blog.angelaconnor.com/?p=1598#comment-2606 Hi Angela - Yes, I understand. But non-vetted comments are not what I believe is understood to represent traditional journalism. I would think that once the story leaves the reporter's hands then it's up for public consumption - just like anything else, no? Anonymity is still anonymity. It's authority must be questioned regardless of how valid the input might seem. As I understand it, the intent of journalism is to be objective. Comments are comments (i.e., subjective). Presenting fiction as fact undermines a true "news" site. IMHO, this general idea is a *major* problem with US "journalism". It's concern is newness and ratings, and not truth. Yes, it can be done. I am only suggesting that it be done in proper context. In other words, this is what was said... And here's some stuff that was pulled off the bathroom wall :) Hi Angela – Yes, I understand. But non-vetted comments are not what I believe is understood to represent traditional journalism. I would think that once the story leaves the reporter’s hands then it’s up for public consumption – just like anything else, no? Anonymity is still anonymity. It’s authority must be questioned regardless of how valid the input might seem. As I understand it, the intent of journalism is to be objective. Comments are comments (i.e., subjective). Presenting fiction as fact undermines a true “news” site. IMHO, this general idea is a *major* problem with US “journalism”. It’s concern is newness and ratings, and not truth.

Yes, it can be done. I am only suggesting that it be done in proper context. In other words, this is what was said… And here’s some stuff that was pulled off the bathroom wall :)

]]> By: Seo http://blog.angelaconnor.com/2009/10/29/there-is-some-value-in-allowing-anonymous-comments/#comment-2590 Seo Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:46:16 +0000 http://blog.angelaconnor.com/?p=1598#comment-2590 If you have a minute, please take a look at this article. http://pollitika.com/hrvatska-postaje-prva-zemlja-koja-zatvara-blogere (use google translate) It is about one blog owner, on whos blog one of the user commented Vukovar`s major. The major sewed blog owner (Damir Fintic) and won. Judge claimed that owner is responsible for content of anonym comment, and the owner is guilty. He has to pay almost 150.000US$ as a "compensation" or go to jail for 3 years. After you read this, then think again about "good sides" of comment anonymity... If you have a minute, please take a look at this article.
http://pollitika.com/hrvatska-postaje-prva-zemlja-koja-zatvara-blogere

(use google translate)

It is about one blog owner, on whos blog one of the user commented Vukovar`s major.
The major sewed blog owner (Damir Fintic) and won. Judge claimed that owner is responsible for content of anonym comment, and the owner is guilty.
He has to pay almost 150.000US$ as a “compensation” or go to jail for 3 years.

After you read this, then think again about “good sides” of comment anonymity…

]]> By: Angela Connor http://blog.angelaconnor.com/2009/10/29/there-is-some-value-in-allowing-anonymous-comments/#comment-2582 Angela Connor Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:34:24 +0000 http://blog.angelaconnor.com/?p=1598#comment-2582 Hi <strong>Michelle</strong>: Believe me, I know exactly where you're coming from. The anonymity can bring major headaches and I can certainly understand the value of making sanity a priority. I live with anonymous comments in my own community, that are only tied to an email address. But as I mentioned to Mark, this is about comments on news stories, particularly local news stories. That's where I see the benefit. Hi Michelle: Believe me, I know exactly where you’re coming from. The anonymity can bring major headaches and I can certainly understand the value of making sanity a priority. I live with anonymous comments in my own community, that are only tied to an email address. But as I mentioned to Mark, this is about comments on news stories, particularly local news stories. That’s where I see the benefit.

]]> By: Angela Connor http://blog.angelaconnor.com/2009/10/29/there-is-some-value-in-allowing-anonymous-comments/#comment-2581 Angela Connor Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:31:23 +0000 http://blog.angelaconnor.com/?p=1598#comment-2581 Hi <strong>Mark</strong>: I am specifically talking about comments on news stories in this particular post. I do think they should be moderated however, to create a civil environment. I am not encouraging rampant anonymity, but I think there is a place for it on news sites because it is often how people come forward with information. I know for a fact that police officers are reading the comments on local crime stories. In that regard it's a service for the community. People shoudl do what they want on their own blog and in their individual communities. There is a distinction in my eyes. Hi Mark: I am specifically talking about comments on news stories in this particular post. I do think they should be moderated however, to create a civil environment. I am not encouraging rampant anonymity, but I think there is a place for it on news sites because it is often how people come forward with information. I know for a fact that police officers are reading the comments on local crime stories. In that regard it’s a service for the community. People shoudl do what they want on their own blog and in their individual communities. There is a distinction in my eyes.

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