A network of regional newspaper companion sites has introduced pre-registration for user comments as part of a move towards a different system of moderation.

Some sites in the thisis network, operated by Northcliffe Digital, had previously post-moderated comments on its stories but turned the comments facility off outside of normal office hours.

However the change to a system of ‘reactive moderation’ will mean comments are now left on all the time.

Northcliffe Digital publishing director Robert Hardie said the move was part of a standardisation of approach to comments across the thisis network, which receives around 90,000 story comments a month.

He said: “Previously on different sites you could comment at different times while some required pre-registration and some didn’t

“Now you can comment 24/7 but you will be required to be a registered user and to verify your registration with a working email address.”

The new system enables users to request removal of comments via a ‘Report Abuse’ button that then alerts the Northcliffe Digital team.

Added Robert: “We are operating a reactive moderation policy from 6am – 10pm seven days a week, so if somebody complains about a comment between 10pm and 6am it gets picked up at 6am.”

Leicester Mercury editor Keith Perch explained the new policy to readers in a post on his blog.

“We hope that forcing people to register will encourage them to join in constructive conversation rather than the abusive slanging matches which so often seem to dominate the ‘discussion’,” he said.

“Following the advice given by our lawyers, Foot Anstey, we will no longer moderate the comments in any way, but have introduced an easy way for readers to report abuse which we will then check and act on if appropriate.

“Unsurprisingly, the change was not met with universal approval and a number of users immediately set about proving that it was still possible to cheat the system by, for example, registering multiple accounts or changing their displayed user name to impersonate someone else.

“We know the system is not perfect, but I believe that the changes will help.

“We provide our website for the information and enjoyment of our readers, but it is our website and I think it is reasonable for us to set the rules.”

Comments

Dr Spin (30/03/2010 14:23:51)
So basically Northcliffe are washing their hands of the moderation so egal action can’t be taken against them if they were seen not to be taking down potentially libellous or contemptuous comments. Ironic really that the stories people comment about how the be legalled to the enth degree put people can basically have a free for all underneath unless someone is bothered enough to report it. Now that’s taking moral responsibility.

Realist (30/03/2010 17:07:57)
Plus, this also takes account of the new web ‘hubs’ they are creating, basically doing away with anyone touching the site who might know something about the area, or the story… God forbid! What happened to the papers is now happening to the internet.

Fencehopper (30/03/2010 17:39:09)
News gentlemen – that’s how the internet works. Either enjoy the ride or get off the bus.

Beano Bob (31/03/2010 14:26:28)
That’s numberwang!

Northcliffe employee (31/03/2010 16:40:12)
There used to be a system which worked where comment boards were moderated by local newsdesks. This kept the boards legally safe and got rid of tedious slagging matches. But we need to change this system to a much worse one – that’s the Northcliffe Business Plan!

Drip-Dry Derek (07/04/2010 16:35:46)
There used to be a system which worked where comment boards were moderated by local newsdesks. This kept the boards legally safe and got rid of tedious slagging Northcliffe employee wrote: “…we need to change this system to a much worse one – that’s the Northcliffe Business Plan!”
no it isn’t.
It’s WANGERNUMB!