Today, one of our readers sent us a funny headline via email: Would you pay $0.99 to comment on The Sun Chronicle? To be frank, this was the first time I’ve ever heard of the publication, but I bet their editors were not aware of Everything PR’s existence either. The reason I mention their relative unpopularity is, however, relevant. Why would you pay to comment on a site with poor readership? Why should you pay to comment anyway? Wouldn’t it make more sense to pay to read?
The Sun Chronicle’s Publisher Oreste P. D’Arconte, believes that the move will improve comment quality, by forcing the comment posters to use their real names: “to eliminate past excesses that included blatant disregard for our appropriateness guidelines, blind accusations and unsubstantiated allegations.” (See a screenshot of the “brilliant” announcement.)
No one was able to comment on stories on The Sun Chronicle and its partner publications thefoxbororeporter.com and thesilvercitybulletin.com since April 12 this year. Comments will be reinstated sometimes this week, but all readers who desire to post comments will be required to register their name, address, phone number and a legitimate credit card number. The credit card will be charged a one-time fee of 99 cents to activate the account.
The move is at least curious. Most publications encourage dialogue, and choose to respect their readers’ anonymity unless they blatantly disregard comments policy or in other special circumstances. Spam filters are in place, and human editors approve comments to ensure quality.
D’Arconte’s idea goes against everything we were thought about building community. And our reader is right: who would want to pay to post a comment? Even the one-time, very inexpensive fee, is ridiculous and abusive. Making money of the people who contribute to your site’s popularity, who provide free content for you is disrespectful and arrogant. Sorry to be so blunt, but there must be other ways to make a quick buck, than exploiting readers who want to express an opinion.
Opinions should be encouraged. Don’t like them, don’t publish them, but making people pay? Come on!
Well, this is my opinion, at least. I am curious how you, our readers, feel about this hocus-pocus.
About Mihaela Lica Butler
The comment section on the Attleboro Sun Chronicle was abruptly shut off a few months ago. This was no doubt directly related to comments posted to articles regarding Attleboro Police overtime fraud. Names were named in the comment section. The Sun Chronicle is very brave about naming names and addresses of anyone allegedly committing any infraction big or small. Not in this case of course. They would not name the names of officers or supervisors involved. They deserve the same fame that everyone else is afforded by the Sun Chronicle, no more, no less.