Online commenters have rights, too

Trolls are the bane of online commentary. Trolls? They’re the anonymous cads who specialize in nasty posts that drive all but the boldest from cyber forums, including those offered by newspapers. Some papers have dumped or limited such features. The Montana Standard of Butte is taking a different path. After Christmas, the Standard will require online commenters to post under their real names. Also, the paper plans to reveal the real names of commenters on all past posts – unless the individuals ask that all those comments be deleted. Those who fail to do so will be “outed.” I consider that policy change to be a breaking of faith for those who trusted the newspaper to protect their identities. Meanwhile, my Huckleberries Online blog ( www.spokesman.com/blogs/hbo ) will continue to welcome commenters who use their real names and those who don’t. I’m paid to keep the site interesting and monitored. Trolls don’t last long/ DFO , Sunday Huckleberries. More here.

Thoughts?