Daily Xtra revises online comment guidelines

With feedback from our readers, we are updating our guidelines


Comment policy

(Revised December 2013. Dailyxtra.com is in the process of reviewing and revising its comment guidelines. Please send further suggestions to robin.perelle@dailyxtra.com.)

Dailyxtra.com guidelines for reader comments

Summary

• No personal attacks or defamatory comments.

• Comments should relate directly to the content of the story.

• Treat each other with civility and respect, even as you challenge each other’s politics and perspectives.

• No advertising, “spam” or other commercial posts.

• Dailyxtra.com reserves the right to remove any comment that breaches these guidelines. Repeat offenders will be considered unwelcome and may be blocked or banned.

• Comments go directly online, without being seen by editors. If you see comments that violate these guidelines, please report them to our moderator, who will investigate within two business days.

Constructive dialogue

Here at Daily Xtra, we believe that dialogue is key to a healthy, engaged and evolving community.

As a community, we know what it feels like to be censored. We know what it feels like to have our books seized at the border, our stories banned from classrooms, our kisses considered obscene. We don’t want to silence each other.

We want to listen to each other’s perspectives, even the ones we disagree with, even the ones that offend us.

We want to foster a space for free and even heated debate. Silencing our opponents doesn’t win arguments; the courage to consider different viewpoints makes us all stronger.

With free speech comes great responsibility

The space to debate and exchange ideas freely is not licence to attack each other personally or to accuse each other without corroboration.

Personal attacks and defamatory comments only deter participation and undermine the constructive forum that we strive to foster.

Comment on content and ideas, not on the people posting them. Treat each other with civility and respect, even as you challenge each other’s politics and perspectives.

Please keep in mind that disagreeing with each other, and even offending each other deeply with differing perspectives, does not constitute a personal attack, nor is it defamatory.

Defamation is defined as: false or unsubstantiated allegations against a specific individual that could adversely affect their reputation. For example, accusing an individual, without proof, of committing a crime is defamatory. Insinuating commission of a crime or ascribing motivation to an individual’s actions without proof can also be considered defamatory.

 

Do not post defamatory comments on dailyxtra.com. If you see a comment that is defamatory, please report it to our moderator, who will investigate within two business days.

A personal attack is defined as: demeaning, disparaging or belittling language aimed directly at a specific individual.

Challenge the ideas presented, not the person presenting them.

Do not post personal attacks on dailyxtra.com. If you see a comment that is a personal attack, please report it to our moderator, who will investigate within two business days.

Comments may also be removed if they are not relevant to the topic; if they contain advertising, “spam” or other commercial elements; or if the person posting the comment is impersonating someone else.

Consequences

Daily Xtra reserves the right to remove any comment that breaches these guidelines. Repeat offenders will be considered unwelcome and may be blocked or banned.

Disclaimer

Daily Xtra does not condone or knowingly permit the posting of defamatory comments or personal attacks.

Comments go directly online, without being seen by editors. If you see a comment that is defamatory or a personal attack, please report it to our moderator, who will investigate within two business days.

Publication of your comments on dailyxtra.com or in an Xtra paper is not an endorsement of your views by Daily Xtra or Pink Triangle Press.

Your comment and name may also be published in an Xtra paper.

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