Online Community Forum Shut Down After Users Go "Too Far"
By Amy Bonanno
(c) 1999 Associated Press
Photo by Ben Margot
A Minnesota newspaper shut down a popular online community forum on its website after its publisher said some users "went too far." Hey Martha, was a forum on The Free Press where readers could debate issues in live time. In other words, visitors could respond to comments immediately after they were posted.
During the recent election season, regular visitors of Hey Martha, said the blogger was attacked for her political statements.
The paper reported its publisher, Jim Santori, saying most people using the forum chose to remain anonymous and some "went too far" in their criticisms. This includes the use of swear words, though Santori did not give specifics.
The Free Press quoted Santori's original hopes for the site. "In particular, I was hopeful we would have a civil discourse on matters where we disagreed," he said. But, Santori said, the anonymity factor, like that of some other online forums, complicated things. "Unfortunately, allowing anonymous posts on the forum opened up the opportunity for people to attack others with impunity. It got so bad that, in some cases, I found people fearful to engage in dialogue because of the actions of others."
Free Press issued several warnings and kicked some people off the forum. However, Santori said these people were able to log back on using different computers. He's now looking for an online application that will allow the newspaper to block users who violate forum rules.
For now, readers can still comment on individual stories posted on The Free Press website but the comments will be reviewed before being added.
Santori said he's not trying to stop free speech. He said he just wants forum users to be "more responsible for what they say."
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