Submitted by Susan Hardee Steger
Co-Editor
January 5, 2014 1:00 a.m.
Those of us involved with the Fernandina Observer have discussed eliminating anonymous comments since the fall of 2014. We believe a new year is a good time for a change. As of January 5, we will no longer accept anonymous comments.* We simply want commenters to take ownership of their message.
Our comment policy encourages discussion that is not mean spirited and adds value to the conversation. Most of the comments offered did just that until we faced a contentious 2014 election for city commission and the recent fire department “turmoil.”
We were accused of editing or avoiding comments that favored one candidate over another or one position over another. This was not the case. Yes, there were times we did not post comments, or if a comment had merit, we removed what we considered to be mean spirited. Often, the poster was contacted to explain the removal. The vast majority of times, the posters thanked us, clearly regretting their comment.
The Fernandina Observer is not alone with its decision to eliminate anonymous posts. In 2013, the Huffington Post, announced it would end anonymous posting, and used a memorable scene from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird to explain its rationale for changing its policy.
Scout and Jem stand by their father, Attorney Atticus Finch, as an angry white mob intent on vigilante justice appears at a jailhouse where an innocent black man, Tom Robinson, is being held. (Click to view movie clip.)
Young Scout recognizes in the mob the father of one of her classmates and begins to speak; “Hey Mr. Cunningham!” The cordial but brief conversation between Scout and Mr. Cunningham ends with Mr. Cunningham dispersing the angry mob.
According to the Huffington Post, “[Harper] Lee’s basic claim is this: We are capable of doing far worse things to one another when we do not have to own up to the things we do. The mob grants its members the gift of anonymity, but after Scout outs Mr. Cunningham, there ceases to be a “mob” in any real sense; there is just Mr. Cunningham, and associates. And when some kind of identity is attached to their group, the plans of that group carry a good deal more weight.”
Your comments are important to us. You correct our mistakes, add opposing views, and bring up thoughtful questions. As we begin this new year, we encourage individuals previously anonymous, to let us know who you are. We believe eliminating anonymous comments is the right thing to do, and we hope you agree.
* We like a suggestion made by one of our readers! During this week, we will allow those who have remained anonymous to anonymously respond to our policy change.
Great Idea. Those who wish to comment should stand behind their thoughts If it annoys or goes again the view of others–so be it. “You have enemies—good. That means you stood up for something”. Winston Churchill.
May be you should give a few days of grace to those who would post anomalously to complain—- anomalously.
A good idea.
Tony: A great idea! During this week, we will allow those who have remained anonymous to respond to our policy change. Thank you for the suggestion.
Susan Steger
Great idea. It’s easy to hide behind a computer screen.
Perfect policy! At one point I was contacted regarding a comment that I wanted to post. After talking with Susan, I saw the problem, and was glad that it was corrected. Let the new year start on a fair note with your name attached.
Keep that light shining.
I totally support this change. If someone has some information that they believe would be beneficial but don’t want to be identified, I am sure that if they contact the FO editors then their request will be considered in a thoughtful manner as an exception to the rule. All one has to do is look at some of the blogs that allow anonymous comments and you can see how vitrolic and off-topic many of the comments can be.
good for you!
Ok..I’m sorry…but my posts about the other people running for the same office as I was worked…I got elected!! Only kidding, but someone probably thought of that and accused someone else in this Harper Valley.
Actually, I am sorry for all the posters who have an opinion but don’t want their name publicized. Most are good people with a valid point, but alas, fuddy duddies in the area want to sit on their self appointed high chairs and wield their pen of right and wrong like King Arthur with Excalibur. Ah, censorship is alive and well here!! Has anyone considered why people don’t like posting their name? Ever hear of employers looking at employees Facebook pages and getting fired for it, or a Tweet on Twitter causing someone to lose their job. Maybe that is why people won’t use their own name. So on a unimportant, bias forum, we the silent majority bid you a fond farewell and hope the best for 2015.
Great idea! Thank you for all of your hard work. Keep it up! This community needs the Fernandina Observer.
Fernandina Voter, I guess since the News-Leader requires its Letters to the Editor to be signed with a name and address or phone number, that would be censorship under your broad definition as well. My mommy always told me “if you won’t say something directly to the person’s face, don’t say it to anyone.” Debate is a valuable exercise for the community and it certainly can (and does) occur in our community.
Now this is not the David Lott who posted just above. Actually I am an anonymous poster. My “mommy” always told me the same, however in today’s trial by social network and media atmosphere, I choose not to jeopardize my career, family, childrens safety because somebody gets offended by what I posted, whether it was offensive or not to anybody else. So my point is, with free email servers, anybody can create another “profile” if you will for the people who think by saying you can’t post anonymously that it will stop it from happening. It just may become more frustrating when you see that you made a post that you didn’t know about. Leave it open to all posters and enjoy the freedom of speech….
To the Not Really Dave Lott poster: yes, where there is a will there is a way. Of course, all posts leave an electronic “fingerprint” of various data such as IP addresses, some of which can also be spoofed and others are much more difficult. Are the issues discussed here so contentuous that one would have to go to all that trouble? As well as being on the bubble as to committing a criminal act if one poses as another?
Do we not have pen name as authors? Do actors and actresses change their name? Are we allowed to vote anonymously? Yes ..choices. Your choice is to sit upfront with your chin out and hand up, but it makes you no better than than the silent Marine who only states his opinion and choses anonymity. I don’t say you’re wrong, I just ask you don’t say that I am wrong. With that being said, this is now boring and time to move to another self righteous blog site to contrast and compare how some people use them for their own self satisfaction of wanting to be always right and a know it all.
I can understand why the FO has decided to make this change. As a private blog, it is the right of those in charge to do whatever they please with the comments to the articles they post.
Those seeking some sort of unbiased news outlet should look elsewhere; (I don’t believe any exist) one must only take note of the flattering vs unflattering photos chosen for publication here to clarify who the admins do and do not care for. The coverage is better than any other available locally, but as with anything one reads, consideration must be given to the authors’ viewpoints.
‘Fernandina Voter’ does have some valid points. If sunshine is so perfect an ingredient, why then do people file public records requests using fictitious names and email addresses? I would submit that the reasons are similar to those cited by anonymous posters on websites such as this. By insisting that everyone identify themselves using their real names, input will be lost. For good or ill? Who’s to say? But the fact remains that this blog is not a democracy nor does it present itself as unbiased resource. As such, the choice is at the discretion of the admins.
Good points Ross, although under the FL Open Records Act an individual is not required to provide a name or other identifying information at all. As you say, it is a choice of the admins weighing the pros and cons.
I agree. But I wonder if Tom Robinson would have felt comfortable making any and all comments public? Why is there some privacy granted to voting?
Ok, This is getting confusing, which Dave Lott posted at 6:55 pm today? Will the real David Lott please stand up.
David, you make good points. David, you make good points.
Notice I said that twice to two different Davids— I think.
Fact still remains it is the F/O ball and their court. If the posts are well intended and hopefully contain good information one would hope they will be read as such and the author would be in no danger of retaliation by those who disagree. Many folks put political signs on their lawns, places of business, as well as bumper stickers on their cars. It is not a perfect world and some take it more personally than others. Lucky for society they are among the very few. At the end of the day this is what makes the democratic system work so well—-differences of opinions without the fear of getting shot. ——As Chet would say ” Goodnight David “