Without getting into the exact details of why I’ve been debating this point, this article about “U.S. newspapers debate unfettered online reader comment(ing)” has been a sticking point in my efforts to bring commenting to a news organization’s website.

Faced with declining circulation, many U.S. newspapers are trying to engage readers by allowing them to respond to news stories online. But the anonymity of the Internet lets readers post obscenities and racist hate speech that would never be allowed in the printed paper.

For commenting to succeed, it has to be an honest exchange of ideas. Moderating out everything controversial betrays the contributors, and the spirit of discussion. A news organizations’ biggest mistake can be their lack of interest and/or fear in what the public actually thinks. The public’s views may be upsetting, but giving others a place to dispute them is why the web is so powerful.