Freedom of speech is a powerful freedom, one that is taken very seriously in the newspaper business and other arenas. Unfortunately, freedoms are sometimes misused. Such is the case with some comments posted to the BDN website.

Last week, the BDN’s website received a design upgrade. With that switch came a number of changes with the management options of the website. Formerly, all comments left by readers were placed into a holding queue to await approval by BDN editor, Theresa Krebs. Our new format does not allow us that capability, yet. We have been told these options will be back in place next week.

Allowing messages to go onto the website unfiltered is similar to an honor system. There are rules that we ask readers to follow before posting. The rules are:
1. Keep it clean;
2. Stay on topic;
3. Be honest and accurate;
4. No personal attacks. Don’t bash anyone based on their race, creed, heritage, or orientation;
5. Don’t say anything here you wouldn’t say in front of your mother at the dinner table; and
6. Use the ‘Report Abuse’ button when you spot a rule violation. (Don’t report comments just because you disagree.)

Unfortunately, rules are not always followed. It has been brought to the attention of the BDN that there have been a number of comments that fall under the category of bashing.

BDN readers spend a significant amount of time on our website and the comment section has always been popular, and your views are important to us. Selected comments are printed on the Forum page of the print edition.

Until the BDN has the ability to review comments before they are posted, the comment section for some stories has been suspended. We expect to have the full comment section up and running again around April 15. Until then, we invite readers with opinions on these stories to write a letter to the editor.

We do, however, believe in the value of anonymous postings. Especially in a small community, this option, if presented in an erudite matter, can allow an issue to be discussed without fear of negative retribution. However, those who don’t play nice in the sandbox won’t be allowed to play. Some question the BDN’s right to make that call. While we will always allow as much commentary as possible to be posted and believe in the value of varied opinions, it remains our website, and we retain the right to monitor it in the manner we see fit. That’s our responsibility.

Freedom of speech is important. It is a freedom and with freedom comes responsibility: a responsibility to respect the views and opinions of others without bashing or harassment.