Salt Lake Tribune Changes Commenting System

Beginning Nov. 1, we are partnering with Disqus, one of the Web’s leading comment tool providers. This is a nationally-supported platform used by thousands of websites, and it’s one that will remain flexible and reliable for us as our site continues to grow.

The good news:

• Comments will load faster and be more reliable.

• Your new login will allow you to comment with the same ID at many sites across the web (CNN, Mashable, many newspapers and countless blogs).

• If you’d prefer, you can comment using your Facebook or Twitter account, meaning no new registration of any kind.

via sltrib.com

First KSL.com shut down comments and the Deseret News made it harder to comment, now the Salt Lake Tribune is making changes as well.

I suggested a while ago a Facebook style commenting system is probably better than other options and it looks like the Tribune agrees. Even though they’re using Disqus, Facebook and Twitter logins will be available too.

This begs the question of whether freedom of speech is being infringed upon. I don’t think it is. It’s a matter of website managers rethinking the behavior that takes place on their pages. Being a “troll” on a message board is the online equivalent of yelling, “Fire!” in a crowded movie theater. Neither should be protected speech.

There are far too many instances where online bullying is having real life consequences including the suicides of vulnerable individuals. It’s time for reasonable restrictions to be placed on online comments. The new system at the Tribune looks like it will do the trick.