STAFF REPORT

Beginning Monday, June 22, persons who use the comment feature on L’Observateur’s website — http://www. lobservateur.com — will be required to register.

“We receive a number of comments that don’t follow the published posting guidelines and this will allow us to contact those persons and let them know why their comment won’t be published and give them the option to re-post,” explained L’Observateur Editor and Publisher John H. Walker.

Walker said the anonymity allowed by the current settings on the site opens the door for some of the comments.

“If someone feels they can remain anonymous by hiding behind a screen name, they may also feel they can say anything they want. Ranting and raving about this issue or that is part of free speech, but name-calling and derogatory comments aren’t.”

Walker said the newspaper’s rules will stay the same — and they are shown every time someone starts to post a comment:

“Comment posters are responsible for the opinions they express and the accuracy of the information they provide. We urge comment writers to treat this as a public forum where manners matter. We encourage a collegial, non-insulting tone. All reader’s comments must be approved by our staff before posting to the Web site. Be aware, in accordance with the Communications Decency Act and provisions upheld in judicial appeal, that you are responsible for comments posted on this Web site. L’Observateur is not liable for messages from third parties.

DO NOT POST:

• Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.

• Obscene, explicit, or racist language.

• Personal attacks, insults or threats.

• The use of another person’s real name to disguise your identity.

• Comments unrelated to the story.”

Walker said he felt the guidelines were straightforward.

“They are no different than you’ll find in most newspapers across the country. We don’t edit comments now and we won’t start … we either post them if they meet the guidelines or we discard them if they don’t. I read every single comment, and it is amazing how some people will try to hide an objectionable or derogatory comment in the middle of a lengthy rant.

“The easiest way to get your comment posted is to play nice with others.”