In recent weeks National Public Radio, newsrooms in the Postmedia chain in Canada, and other organizations have determined it necessary to place new conditions on online comments and how they are moderated.
The aim is to improve the quality of the comments by encouraging people to be identified and rewarding those who contribute positively to the experience. For years newsrooms have been besieged by comments that have not reflected well on their operations but been reluctant to turn down the tap for fear of depressing traffic.
In NPR's case, comments will be screened before they appear. In the Postmedia case, Facebook Connects will be employed to eliminate much of the anonymity that offers commenters a free rein.
Poynter Online's Jeff Sonderman wrote Thursday about the moves.
The aim is to improve the quality of the comments by encouraging people to be identified and rewarding those who contribute positively to the experience. For years newsrooms have been besieged by comments that have not reflected well on their operations but been reluctant to turn down the tap for fear of depressing traffic.
In NPR's case, comments will be screened before they appear. In the Postmedia case, Facebook Connects will be employed to eliminate much of the anonymity that offers commenters a free rein.
Poynter Online's Jeff Sonderman wrote Thursday about the moves.
