Yin and yang of anonymity

This editorial is different from most. There is no editorial “we” that is the convention of newspapers. This editorial is first person singular. I am writing this, me Rich Schwartzman. (As if most readers so far need to be told.)

There are some truly decent people in Chadds Ford, Birmingham and Pennsbury townships. But, there are also some mean-spirited cowards.

I’ve had internal and external e-mails about allowing anonymous comments on stories posted here on ChaddsFordLive, all because of the story about Aaron McIntyre running for the Republican Party nomination for supervisor in Pennsbury.

For those who’ve not been following, Mr. McIntyre is one of two candidates seeking that nomination. His challenger in the May 19 primary is Steve Eichinger. The story has been the most read of any so far in the one month ChaddsFordLive has existed, and the one getting the most comments.

Being Pennsbury Township, there are rancor and bitterness with some people wanting to level ad hominem attacks while hiding behind the cloak of anonymity.

In the hard copy newspaper world, letters to the editor must always include the name, municipality and a contact phone number for the writer before publishing the letter. The name and municipality are published. Yet, there is also a recent trend of “Sound off” pieces where papers use only a first name with the municipality.

While I want those more formal letters to the editor, done as they are in the printed publications, Internet publications – including ChaddsFordLive – allow comments directly submitted by readers without an editor filtering the content before the comments show on the screen. And names are not required.

There are pros and cons to allowing anonymous comments.

Some people are simply shy, feeling hesitant or intimidated of revealing themselves in public, even with the written word. They’re hesitant to lend their names in public to a position, especially one that may be unpopular.  Or maybe they honestly fear reprisal from a group – such as a board of supervisors – for speaking out. The latter reason is quite prevalent. We’ve heard it often enough.

So, an anonymous means of commenting will work to help bring out items that should be discussed in the open.

The negative side is that a mean-spirited person can take pot shots at people while hiding behind that cloak of anonymity.

Such is the yin and the yang of the situation.

On balance, I am for keeping the anonymous comment available. I can edit those comments if need be, and I can delete them, too. And I do get an e-mail notification whenever a comment is posted, and I can act as needed as soon as I read that e-mail. I will not allow libelous, or profanity laced comments to stand.

That said, those of us in the public eye, sitting politicians, people running for office and even editors are always targets. We just have to accept that there is a different standard for us, and we have to accept that people will sometimes be less than polite.

However, those who like to smear, or attempt to smear others, just show their true color when they attack anonymously.

About CFLive Staff

See Contributors Page https://chaddsfordlive.com/writers/

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This Post Has One Comment

  1. Aaron McIntyre

    This editorial reflects a reasoned approach to reaching a reasonable policy regarding the on-line comments.

    From a different perspective; when Yin meets Yang, compromise and the spirit of coexistence are essential mediators.

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