tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post2319247196308558349..comments2023-11-05T06:26:51.316-05:00Comments on Gannett Blog: Reader: How do you deal with gossip and rumor?Jim Hopkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16712746705871119746noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-10189526830545521762012-02-23T02:03:59.456-05:002012-02-23T02:03:59.456-05:00How do you deal with gossip and rumors? I think u...How do you deal with gossip and rumors? I think unfortunately online you have no choice but to ignore it for the most part. But let me ask this question: The 1st Amendment guarantees the right of free speech publicly and anonymously, but freedom of speech is not the freedom to lie and abuse, though, is it? It's interesting to read Chris Tolles' defend the lack of moderation in his Sabine Faustinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05263028611844816977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-29433046200147860212011-09-22T14:44:02.181-04:002011-09-22T14:44:02.181-04:001:24, I'd agree with all of that. But your thi...1:24, I'd agree with all of that. But your third point has one weakness. There are too many fools here who are eager to run with whatever stupid rumor pops up here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-30811715656302349862011-09-22T13:24:55.729-04:002011-09-22T13:24:55.729-04:00Seems to me there are three kinds of troublesome c...Seems to me there are three kinds of troublesome comments:<br /><br />-- Outright stalkers and disrupters -- a handful of people who seem intent on destabilizing the Blog by constant obscene references and attacks.<br /><br /> Those should be deleted immediately. No one will object.<br /><br />-- Character assassination. A slippery slope, but somehow preventing personal attacks and slurs on Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-29785702943648545362011-09-22T12:49:56.592-04:002011-09-22T12:49:56.592-04:00Jim, I like how you delete that post but keep the ...Jim, I like how you delete that post but keep the xanax comment. Funny how the xanax comment agrees with you, but the other one disagreed.<br /><br />The main point is that cultivating a source does not mean going on to a site and asking "Has anyone heard about this?" That's just weak and lazy. It's also a common tactic with some writers today.<br /><br />Just calling it Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-41778058990756374112011-09-22T12:32:47.761-04:002011-09-22T12:32:47.761-04:0012:09 I encourage you to repost your comment -- wi...12:09 I encourage you to repost your comment -- without he name-calling.Jim Hopkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16712746705871119746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-43125806469187842522011-09-22T12:09:50.568-04:002011-09-22T12:09:50.568-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-63644556919239188312011-09-22T10:28:04.761-04:002011-09-22T10:28:04.761-04:00I appreciate your work in keeping the comments sec...I appreciate your work in keeping the comments section civil, respectful, and informative, Jim. Keep up the good work.<br /><br />10:01, wouldn't you say that asking for reader tips is one way to cultivate sources? It's possible Jim is working behind the scenes too, but it would be silly not to at least ask around here. Take a xanax and lay down for a spell.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-40378706040023955822011-09-22T10:01:07.081-04:002011-09-22T10:01:07.081-04:00Jim, the big problem is you rely on unsourced goss...Jim, the big problem is you rely on unsourced gossip.<br /><br />A prime example is the topic of single copy prices. When you got the "tip," you came on and asked if anyone else had heard that.<br /><br />Shouldn't YOU be checking sources and trying to get confirmation, rather than just casting a line to the peanut gallery? I know, you'll respond with some lecture about Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-22316537176172377942011-09-22T09:35:30.613-04:002011-09-22T09:35:30.613-04:00That free speech comment is so far off the mark. R...That free speech comment is so far off the mark. Readers always scream free speech when we delete their comments, and the editor always replies that it is our site, so your free speech plays by our rules.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099437767970534324.post-52919125156197802832011-09-22T08:33:21.807-04:002011-09-22T08:33:21.807-04:00Key phrase "Make private gossip public"....Key phrase "Make private gossip public". These are supposedly NEWS sites. Private gossip might be too but more often is far off the mark, factually incorrect or just flat-out fabrication. I welcome your occasional "course correction" when commenters go off-topic or start sliding off the rails. And I don't mind when you delete the idiocies (Not that I know WHY you deleted Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com