In an effort to eliminate the issues surrounding anonymous online commenters, newspapers across the Postmedia chain are introducing a new mandatory social media sign-in commenting system for online articles. Readers wishing to leave a comment on an article will now be required to identify themselves by logging into their Facebook account. Facebook names and profile photos will be displayed alongside all published comments.
In an editorial note to online readers, Postmedia explains that the papers are switching to the new comment system in order to “foster a robust, relevant and respectful debate on the issues of the day.”
Black Press papers eliminated anonymous online posting in late 2011 in order to improve the quality of discourse on its newspaper websites.