Free speech of course, but a little more thought perhaps?

3:55pm Friday 15th February 2008

By Vicki Foster

This week some people have left comments on stories which have left me a little unsettled. Of course I am all for free speech but I would like to urge people to think a little bit more before they hit the "send" button.

I'd like to make it clear from the start of this blog that readers leaving comments on our website is very important.

We appreciate the input very much because it allows us to gauge a more widespread opinion on certain issues/incidents which affect people's lives.

However, the reason I am writing this blog today is to urge those readers who do leave comments on stories where people have lost their lives to think about how it comes across before it is sent.

Free speech is very important and the whole point of the comments section is for people to say what they think, ask questions, and generally leave a comment on whatever they feel is appropriate.

But when people leave comments on stories which personally attack another person or the circumstances as to how someone has lost their life (when all the facts have not been revealed)is, in my opinion, a slightly different matter.

For example, this week a lady lost her life.

When the story first went on the web, all we knew was a train driver reported striking a woman.

We did not know if the lady was already dead or alive when the train hit her.

But there were comments left with people assuming she had committed suicide and saying how she deserved what she got etc.

It now looks like the lady fell through her fence and down a hill onto the track.

I cannot imagine her family appreciating comments like I previously stated when they are trying to deal with their grief.

Again, I emphasise free speech but I do think people should have some consideration for the family of a loved one.

The News Shopper do remove the ones which are extremely insensitive & defamatory.

But it is impossible to please everyone, & not all comments which people may think are out of line are removed.

The context of the comment is taken into consideration.

The next time you come to write a comment, feel free to write it how you want but maybe re-read it and see how it comes across.

This is not only for yourself but for others who may be in a very emotional state and could be affected by whatever is said.

What do you think?

Vicki :-)