Let's talk about using Handles and Pseudonyms on OpEdNews
When we added commenting and diaries to OpEdNEws, we included the ability to sign up with a real name but also to use a handle or pseudonym, which is the widely adopted way of many blog sites.
But first and foremost, we're a news and opinion media site. Technorati has told us that they won't allow us to claim our blog, because they categorize us as a media site.
While it has become "usual and customary" to sign comments and diaries on blog sites with handles, You don't sign an article with a handle. Part of the privlege of being a media site is we are spidered by the major news sites. Yahoo took up over 40 gigabytes of bandwidth, spidering us in July alone. These major news sites expect high standards for articles. Google says it only spiders 4500 media sites. Those sites include daily newspapers, Time, Newsweek, Asahi Shimbun, Guardian, Haaretz, New York TImes, and... OpEdNews.com. We have to maintain standards that keep us in that small circle of approved media.
Requiring the use of a real name will probably cost us some writers. But it will also increase our credibility and the trust readers have in what we publish.
We live in a time when the mainstream media, which I call the lamestream media, have repeatedly let us down and disappointed. Millions have turned to both the blogosphere and the new alternative media. By definition, as new media, we are in a stage of development and self definition, figuring out who we are and how we work.
As one of the higher traffic new media sites, we have a big responsibility to get what we do right, so people CAN depend upon and trust what we report and weigh in with opinions on. Requiring people to use their real names adds accountability to our process. When you see a reporter's name on a NY Times article, you can assume that the personnel department has on file, a photo, social security number, and all kinds of info that confirms who this person is.
At OpEdNews, we haven't gone that far... yet. But our goal is to build a media/community blog that also earns a reputation as a brand for integrity and trustworthiness. That takes rules and self regulation. We'll be trying out ideas. Some will work. Some will not and we'll cancel them and try other things. But being at the leading edge of the new media, and intending to be conscious in our development, not only of our content, but also of how we work, who we are and what we do, this kind of self evaluation and continual evolving of rules and policies is an essential part of our responsibility.
At this time, we will be moving with gradual steps. We will allow continued use of handles for most diaries and comments. It looks like, for writers who use some words that are abused, we may require use of real names (we'll use software to do that) if they use those words, so they can't hide behind handles. If you are known, on other sites, by your handle, you'll be able to include that in your bio.
The editorial team at OpEdNews has concluded that we're not allowing any articles to be signed with handles, with one exception, a writer and project partner we've been working with for several years, and we know who that person is. We will consider pen names on an individual basis, and most likely grandfather some.
When we instituted the policy, we will not do it retroactively, so those who have posted in the past with pseudonyms will not be revealed. But since the new articles will be appearing with real names, some users may choose to create new accounts. We'll send out at least two emails to all members to warn you before we implement this change.
But I want to put this out to our readers too. What do you think about this?
Any suggestions?
What about requiring real names on diaries? Yes or No? The thought is that this will increase accountability and civility and reduce nastiness and "hit-and-run" unpleasant comments.
And what about requiring real names for comments? There are a number of options here-- we can require real names for comments on articles but handles on diaries. We can require real names on all content.
Here's your chance to participate in the decision making process. Have at it. But please, and I shouldn't have to see it, but find it necessary, do it with a civil tongue.
Rob Kall is executive editor and publisher of OpEdNews.com, President of Futurehealth, Inc, inventor . He is also published regularly on the Huffingtonpost.com. He is a frequent Speaker on Politics, Impeachment, The art, science and power of story, heroes and the hero's journey, Positive Psychology, Stress, Biofeedback and a wide range of subjects. He is a campaign consultant specializing in tapping the power of stories for issue positioning, stump speeches and debates. He recently retired as organizer of several conferences, including StoryCon, the Summit Meeting on the Art, Science and Application of Story and The Winter Brain Meeting on neurofeedback, biofeedback, Optimal Functioning and Positive Psychology. See more of his articles here and, older ones, here.
To learn more about me and OpEdNews.com, check out this article.
and there are Rob's quotes, here.
To Watch me on youtube, having a lively conversation with John Conyers, Chair of the House Judiciary committee, click here Now, wouldn't you like to see me on the political news shows, representing progressives. If so, tell your favorite shows to bring me on and refer them to this youtube video
My radio show, The Rob Kall Show, runs 9-10 PM EST Wednesday evenings, on AM 1360, WNJC and is archived on www.whiterosesociety.org Or listen to it streaming, live at either www.wnjc1360.com or here.
A few declarations.
-While I'm registered as a Democrat, I consider myself to be a dynamic critic of the Democratic party, just as, well, not quite as much, but almost as much as I am a critic of republicans.
-My articles express my personal opinion, not the opinion of this website.
I have long favored and mentioned to hit and run Commenters, that I have my name on every article and they know me, but I do not know them. I applaud the idea of all writers, and many of us do, use our own names, but I also think that real names and photos should be used on comments as well. People are less likely to take cheapshots at writers if their names are known.
Writers are often targets for real enemies, or people who hide behind a cover while we do not. While it is certainly true that many fine writers use "Pen Names" and now even corporate salespeople use faux names for security purposes, we should be willing to put our names where our mouths or rather words are.
Real names for Articles and Comments are my suggestions, With one exception. If someone works at a place where such exposure might cost them a job, they should be cut some slack and allowed to use a pen name for protection.
by
Professor Emeritus Peter Bagnolo (144 articles, 1 quicklinks, 95 diaries, 1310 comments)
on Friday, August 31, 2007 at 1:06:50 PM
I stopped using my real name when I got an online stalker in the bargain for free. The internet is much too transparent to force anyone to use their real names. Anyone who has tried to 'locate' a person online knows how much information is easily available about any of us - and our kids.
We are not reporters for the NYTimes or other papers who get paid for their writing and opinions. Anyone who can't discern the difference has problems with visual acuity. Many of us could lose our jobs for our writing, and never get another one. The risk isn't worth it no matter how much we like seeing our names in print.
Last, if you want the opinion of women writers, and not just the occasional token, you'll have to accept pseudonyms. The misogyny of the internet has been well discussed and is widely acknowledged. Women are more willing to write if they are protected from the nastiness of commenters who think a woman's authorship means she is fair game for abuse, and more likely to be published if the almost-always male web owner doesn't know it.
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Cameron Salisbury (8 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 16 comments)
on Sunday, September 2, 2007 at 12:53:43 PM
It makes sense for the writers of full articles to post names for credability, if they choose to do so. But there are many writer's who publish under different names, "Pen names", to protect their private lives, and to protect their families from unruley fans as well as unruley "haters". As long as the publisher knows who the writer is, isn't that all he needs to determine the writer's legitamacy? It is the publisher who keeps the writer within their bounds, and who checks the writer's reputation.
Commenters shouldn't need to post real names. It exposes lay people to predators. I would not do it. Commentors are like people who write letters to the editor. I have often seen letters to the editor where the name is withheld at the writer's request, or only a first name is given. "Pen names" or "Handles" or "Pseudonyms" all exist to protect the writers from predators and should definitely be allowed.
by
m w (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 7 comments)
on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 at 9:43:19 PM
I agree 100 % with Pete the Prof or better yet Prof. Peter Bagnolo that real names should always be used for articles, comments and diaries on OpEdNews unless a "handle" is required to protect one's job. And the "handle should require approval by Rob or a delegate. I have always used my real name for all and will continue to do so.
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Kenneth Briggs (117 articles, 88 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 104 comments)
on Sunday, September 2, 2007 at 2:43:40 PM
If we want to be considered as serious journalists and news commentators, we need to use our real names. That is just obvious, and uncontestable. Only people who would not want to be associated with their own words would demand anonymity (exceptions would include overseas writers in totalitarian countries who could fear for their lives).
For diaries and comments, I’m much more open to either option. However, I should note as did Prof. Pete, that people are more civil and respectful of others if they are known, rather than anonymous. The most obnoxious comments always come from people with pseudonyms. I don’t recall ever seeing a nasty comment with a real name attached.
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John R Moffett (80 articles, 14 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 598 comments)
on Friday, August 31, 2007 at 1:21:41 PM
using real names if some of those flaggable words are used, like zionist, nazi, shit, islamofacist, asshole, liar, loser...
Remember, we're not censoring, only assuring OWNERSHIP and responsibility.
We can do this with software pretty easily. I've already talked it over with our programmer-- could have it up and running by Tuesday. The challenge is to come up with standards of definitions for usage guidelines. GUIDELINES-- suggestions, not banning, just guidelines that writers can follow or ignore.
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Rob Kall (759 articles, 3845 quicklinks, 320 diaries, 1639 comments)
on Friday, August 31, 2007 at 1:28:04 PM
I like the idea that initially the automated system would flag the authors, and give them an opportunity to consider their words before posting. If that did not suffice, the system could then be set to flag editors. This would be a front-line, automatic method to get editors attention directed at an article, diary or comment, with the existing user flagging system acting as the solid, human-based backup to that.
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John R Moffett (80 articles, 14 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 598 comments)
on Friday, August 31, 2007 at 1:40:39 PM
though I prefer to use ardee on the web, not to hide as suggested as any decent and knowledgeable programmer could ferret me out.
Rob, you claim you are not censoring, but of course this policy is exactly that. Does it irk me when some use the "Z" word ( isnt this absurd?) as an identifier for all that is wrong with America's policies and actions, you betcha it does and not because I am Jewish by birth but because I am a sane and rational human being.
Does someone have the right to believe and to proclaim his belief in a Z word plot, yes, emphatically he does. This policy is one firm step onto a slippery slope and it bothers the hell out of me.
by
ardee D. (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 2388 comments)
on Friday, August 31, 2007 at 5:02:43 PM
is the requirement to use one's real name censorship?
And keep in mind, I've only said that we'll require real names or, authorized pen names for articles, not comments. I posted this article to create a forum to discuss the other possibilities.
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Rob Kall (759 articles, 3845 quicklinks, 320 diaries, 1639 comments)
on Friday, August 31, 2007 at 6:08:25 PM
The discussions of banning words or phrases dovetails with this new protopolicy of real names only as a disturbing trend here. Never mind the traditional use of pseudonym on the net, never mind the absurdity of fact checking whether John Jones is a real name or a pen name, who cares.
It is content that matters and the loss of one whose content was both wise and inciteful, regardless of his "alias" as Blue Pilgrim, leaves OpEd News the poorer. Why this micromanagement is deemed necesary is beyond my ken, why you assume that this gives any cachet to this website not earned by content is puzzling at best.
You already censor posts with personally insulting content, is this not enough? Political discourse and debate should, no must, be free of rules and regulations to flourish, other than the aforementioned rules on insult. To insist on real names ( can you really check this?) is as silly, in my opinion, as a ban on certain words or phrases. Words carry weight and power of course, we all know this, and some abuse the power of the word to post ridiculous theories. I have the faith that these will fall of their own lack of weight without need to censor further.
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has limits." Albert Einstein
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ardee D. (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 2388 comments)
on Sunday, September 2, 2007 at 1:56:21 PM
Ardee, your thoughts are reasonable and insightful. I don't care what you'd like to call yourself, I'm happy to hear from you. You are the only male I've come across so far (I'm sure there are others hiding out there, as well as men who simply need to think about it a little more) who is lacking in self righteousness enough, and who is generous and openminded enough, to see the folly of banning pseudonyms. Have you noticed any female writers defending this policy?
I, too, fail to grasp the reasons for the drama of this site. If writers on other sites violate the sites' ethics by using unacceptably incendiary rhetoric, the article simply evaporates. It doesn't get published. Why all the breast-beating and consternation about a problem so easily solved?
The rest of the current trauma on this site, involving the question of pseudonyms, could be resolved by simply acknowledging the difference between people with an opinion and writing skill and people who GET PAID for their opinions and writing skill. There is no comparison between the two groups. The first is called 'bloggers' and so far exist in an uncertain legal realm. The second group is called 'journalists' and has batteries of lawyers backing up their rights.
Sorry, only pseudonyms for me. If opednews makes a different choice, there are lots of other sites publishing my work, and I'll evaporate, too.
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Cameron Salisbury (8 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 16 comments)
on Monday, September 3, 2007 at 9:28:22 AM
I have been here, with a sabbatical or two, for about a year and a half. I have great respect for Rob Kall's intellect and have watched his political growth from democratic centrist ( dont deny it Mr. Kall) to something more to the left, a growth I much approve of and applaud.
I do not ascribe any dark motivation to Rob at all, though I am squarely against any censorship or alteration of current practice, not that my opinion matters much, its Rob's site after all. I have noted a torrent of defenders, editorial members all (well two or three anyway) rushing to defend this proposal...they brainstormed it so no surprise...I would say, if asked, that this is an attempt to win more profitability from this site propped up as an ethical solution to a little problem, if any at all.....Perhaps Im wrong.
My name is Thomas Paine, or perhaps John Hancock, maybe its Betsy Ross, tomorrow it might be Paul Revere or Anais Nin, who knows and who cares, its not who I am its what I stand for dammit.
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ardee D. (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 2388 comments)
on Monday, September 3, 2007 at 9:19:49 PM
If we want to be considered as serious journalists and news commentators, we need to use our real names. That is just obvious, and uncontestable. Only people who would not want to be associated with their own words would demand anonymity.
No need for me to add anything.
by
Frank J. Ranelli (63 articles, 143 quicklinks, 28 diaries, 361 comments)
on Friday, August 31, 2007 at 1:45:29 PM
I've received death threats confirmed by a Galloway Township, New Jersey police officer (although not investigated), I've been driven out of a career, I've been prevented, despite sound credentials, from pursuing another career, I sold my home because I lost my full-time job and couldn't afford it any longer, my health care insurance being paid by the State of NJ will expire next May (2008), I've been the target of a malevolent, politically motivated legal witch hunt from a zealous, politically ambitious county prosecutor who misapplied the law and abused his prosecutorial discretion, I'm HIV positive, and gay...and you want to take away my ability to use a pseudonymous name because of ownership; you compare me to a paid NYT reporter, although when I suggest that editors do their jobs, you tell me they are volunteers....I think it's time that the owner and editors on this site start leveling with the authors because there's more going on here than meets the eye....and I suspect it's for all the wrong reasons
by
Constance Lavender (47 articles, 0 quicklinks, 73 diaries, 167 comments)
on Friday, August 31, 2007 at 1:50:09 PM
I am sorry for your troubles, but this is pure conjecture on your part. There is NO conspiracy theory going on here. Great writers will always apply their real and personal attribution to an article.
Rob is simply looking at the next logical step in the evolution of Op Ed News toward become not only a respected, but sought after provider of news and exceptional editorials.
If you have to hide behind an alias, then may I suggest, with all due respect, that you have bigger problems to worry about and should focus on repairing those damaged ends first.
by
Frank J. Ranelli (63 articles, 143 quicklinks, 28 diaries, 361 comments)
on Friday, August 31, 2007 at 2:30:41 PM
Ah, yes, Frank, the old conspiracy theory argument...
....as old as it is illogical; but, I suppose when no other argument is abvailable, it's always a good last resort.
I don't need you to feel sorry for me my friend. If you do, you miss the point. I am well, thank you. As for your pseudo-psychological advice, which you are in no way qualified to dish out (abuse really), be a bigger man.
As to the "evolution" of the site, that's all well and good, just explain it---perhaps, you know, lay out the VISION thing---before you just apparently plunk down pronouncements.
And, if Rob wants to answer for himself, then he may. Your representation of him..I don't accept.
Rob who knows my real name, incidentally, has stated that he was going to discuss issues concerning the site with me personally. He has not done so.
And respect the writers--like myself--who have contributed substantial and fine writing to this site over the years. Most of us are not invective hurling racists, Frank. Show a little respect for the writers, who like the editors, volunteer their time, talents, and writing.
Frank, if you have a problem with me personally, or my writing, or samples of it posted on here, then say so.
Finally, great witers have used aliases from time immemorial, Frank, like Benjamin Franklin and Voltaire, to name two...far greater lights than you or I will ever become...
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Constance Lavender (47 articles, 0 quicklinks, 73 diaries, 167 comments)
on Friday, August 31, 2007 at 2:47:48 PM
And respect the writers--like myself--who have contributed substantial and fine writing to this site over the years. Most of us are not invective hurling racists, Frank. Show a little respect for the writers, who like the editors, volunteer their time, talents, and writing.
I am sorry you took personal offense to what I said. However, I am one of Rob's trusted authors, a contributing editor and one of his associate editors that spends a lot of time behind the scenes assisting Rob.So, please do not lump me in with the outside masses.
I do not make any blanket accusations and have not accused you of anything malicious. I was trying to provide a bit of empathy.
I assure you, there is no conspiracy or deep-rooted plot. This truly is about evolving the website and its direction. Ultimately, all of these decisions are Rob's, and I repect every one of them.
I would suggest that you talk to Rob personally and let him flesh-out why we are moving in this direction. It is for the betterment of the website.
Best,
Frank J Ranelli
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Frank J. Ranelli (63 articles, 143 quicklinks, 28 diaries, 361 comments)
on Friday, August 31, 2007 at 3:27:34 PM
Would you trust a story at the NY Times written by “Smurf-mugger”?. Me neither.
Nuff said.
The “vision thing”, as you put it, is to make the site a reliable place for news, opinion and discussion, with the discussion being civil. Is that really so hard to understand?
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John R Moffett (80 articles, 14 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 598 comments)
on Saturday, September 1, 2007 at 6:16:12 AM
American writer and humorist. His best work is characterized by broad, often irreverent, humor or biting social satire; realism of place and language; memorable characters; and hatred of hypocrisy.
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In 1862 he became a reporter on the Territorial Enterprise in Virginia City, Nev., and in 1863 began signing his articles with the pseudonym "Mark Twain," a Mississippi River phrase meaning two fathoms deep.
1862; Territorial Enterprise, Virginia City, NV, reporter (sometimes under pseudonym Mark Twain), 1862-64; Morning Call, San Francisco, reporter under Twain pseudonym, 1864; Sacramento Union, Sacramento, CA, correspondent under Twain pseudonym, 1866; Daily Morning, San Francisco, correspondent under Twain pseudonym, 1866-69;Buffalo Express, editor under Twain pseudonym
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Bleeding Heart Liberal (0 articles, 1 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 48 comments)
on Friday, August 31, 2007 at 2:52:12 PM
