Comment Policy
The Morning News offers readers the ability to comment on stories in order to serve as a public forum. As such, lively discussion and debate are welcome. Certain kinds of posts, however, are not allowed. These include:
- Obscene language
This web site is meant to be appropriate for all ages. Obscene language is not welcome, nor is obscene language that uses typographical tricks to disguise itself.
- Racism or other prejudicial language
Comments that degrade other people based on their gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation are not allowed, nor are statements that a particular group is monolithic (i.e. "those people all think that...").
- Threats or advocation of violence
Threats to harm another person are prohibited. They may be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Advocating violence against any person or group also violates policy.
- Confusing identity
Presenting yourself as someone else or otherwise speaking for someone else is not allowed.
- Potentially defamatory or libelous statements
Avoid making unproven statements about another person's character or actions, especially when that person isn't typically in the public eye. Someone being accused of a crime is not the same as a conviction. Saying someone should be locked up or executed, etc., when they haven't been found guilty in court, will cause a comment to be deleted.
- Inuendo
To imply that a person has done something wrong or unseemly when it hasn't been proven will not be allowed in our comments section.
- Name-calling or other personal attacks
You can discuss issues, debate ideas, and even attack a person's position on an issue, but not the person. Saying someone is a moron, for example, or telling them to shut up, will get your comment deleted.
- Advertising
Using this forum to advertise a product or service will not be permitted.
Comments determined to violate this policy by the newspaper will be deleted upon being
reported to the web editor. The Morning News reserves the right to determine whether a comment meets criteria outlined here. We also reserve the right to modify this policy as needed at any time and without notice. Comments are not edited or approved by the paper before being published. The contents of each comment are the sole responsibility of its author. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
