- Published on
By Catherine Watson, Editor
A NEW Year confession: I've been too slack.
I used to pride myself on the fact that comments posted by Bass Coast Post readers were constructive, courteous, intelligent, relevant, respectful. So unlike those in most other online forums.
But I have to face facts. Our comments have gradually deteriorated. These days many are obnoxious and personal. Just like all the other publications.
I don't like censoring other people's views, particularly those with views that are opposed to mine, but I should have taken more notice.
When I set up the Post in 2012, I wrote a kind of credo: the Post was to be a forum for informed discussion, a civil place where people could debate issues and ideas, rather than criticise personalities.
A NEW Year confession: I've been too slack.
I used to pride myself on the fact that comments posted by Bass Coast Post readers were constructive, courteous, intelligent, relevant, respectful. So unlike those in most other online forums.
But I have to face facts. Our comments have gradually deteriorated. These days many are obnoxious and personal. Just like all the other publications.
I don't like censoring other people's views, particularly those with views that are opposed to mine, but I should have taken more notice.
When I set up the Post in 2012, I wrote a kind of credo: the Post was to be a forum for informed discussion, a civil place where people could debate issues and ideas, rather than criticise personalities.
The credo was a reaction to the personal attacks and vitriolic views that were published each week in the local newspapers.
I’m making a reluctant return to moderating and a degree of censorship.
The new editorial policy (which is actually the old editorial policy) is to encourage rational and courteous debate and a genuine exchange of information and opinions.
Anonymity is the biggest enabler of personal abuse. Abusive comments are almost always anonymous, often posted under a false name, sometimes under several false names to make it look like a groundswell of opinion rather than the views of a single person with a grudge. The Post has a few serial offenders.
It’s the conversations that make the Post. I welcome the comments. But from here on, comments will only be published in the Post with a full name. Where writers decline to supply their full name, their comments will be deleted. That includes even favourable or innocuous comments, because otherwise it looks as though I'm censoring views with which I disagree.
Where comments contain abuse, but otherwise have something relevant to add to a debate, they will be edited back to the substance.
We all know other people believe some crazy things. Calling them a #$%@!!!*&#$ idiot is probably not the right way to convince them of the error of their thinking.
COMMENTS
Comments are welcome but personal abuse is not acceptable. Please keep comments brief and to the point. They may be edited if they are too long or "go off topic”. A genuine name and email address is required.
It would be appalling if your Post and all the energy that has gone into it was to be corrupted to ruin by a few bad apples.
Dear Catherine, stay the course !
I appreciate the literature and variety of topics you attract to The Post.
Thank you Catherine.
Without you people like me would not have a voice - we would be less informed - we would not be able to share in a safe environment.
Bullies can be awfully devious - and so destructive - so thank you for not allowing them to have a voice.
It is indeed unfortunate that journalism as an industry has deteriorated to sensationalism and distortion of the truth to the detriment of the profession.
Informed articles are the source of knowledge shared, with the Post leading in the dissemination of views and opinions without acrimony
Keep up the good work
Everyone views a topic differently, so I believe it would be quite difficult to be impartial and eventually what one considers offensive, others would not.
Catherine, she's your baby & I fully support your editorial rights 💞
That’s your job.
I also totally agree in using reasoned arguments which are based on facts.
Emotional language does not fix the issues.
I know in comments on skate park there was someone who didn't put their name on response and in a follow up message they responded they didn't feel comfortable putting their name to their letter.
The local issues in Bass Coast Council area often are brought around by the way this Council and Councillors make their decisions is all over the place. If you can change councillors minds by sitting and staring at them doesn't say much about their decision making process. So dog owners pack meetings, those that want a skate park pack meetings and they both get want they want. Hardly the way for any council or business to run.
So when people get stirred up about issues that affect their lives they will respond with some passion but obviously shouldn't be abusive.
In business a great man taught me that you always start at the top and in the case of the Bass Coast that is the Mayor and CEO.
We are in the process of conducting a rate review as well as the 2020/2021 budget and forward estimates.. I am looking forward to these reviews and seeing what changes are being made in addressing the infrastructure issues in our Shire.
And secondly Christopher, perhaps you need to put your energy in looking at the big issues rather than Skate Parks and dog issues.
the Bass Coast Post. Catherine's wonderful tribute to Ricardo reminded
me of the first time I met him when I moved here over 20 years ago.
He was my first Bass Coast friend. Since then I have continuously met so
many more warm, talented people who contribute so much to this
community, several of whom are contributors to the Post. I enjoy
recommending the Post to new people who want an idea of what is
happening. You know how it is when you know something is fabulous and you just want to share it!
Thank you Cattherine and thank you Bass Coast Post.