Opinion

We don’t want draconian reforms but the editors are disinclined to work together

anthony_freedmanYesterday, it was reported that the Communications Council wants the trade press to ban anonymous comments. Mumbrella editor Tim Burrowes argued that appropriate moderation is a better approach. In this guest posting, Communications Council chairman Anthony Freedman argues that the issue still needs to be addressed

It seems the article that Simon Canning published in The Australian yesterday has really put the cat amongst the pigeons in suggesting the intention of The Communications Council is to outlaw all anonymous comments.  

I think it’s fair to say that The Communications Council Board is not that presumptuous. We are also well aware of the arguments put forward by passionate editors, defending the right for free speech as well as the likelihood that removing anonymity will reduce comments which in turn will reduce site traffic.

Our stance is simple and straightforward. The comments on many industry blogs are mean spirited, unconstructive and more than anything an embarrassment to our industry. They also drive out much of the intelligent and reasoned comment from those who do not want to enter a debate alongside lowest common denominator cheap shots.

We would like to facilitate discussion between the publishers with the aim of removing the mindless negativity and substantially increasing the volume of smart and insightful comment, both complimentary and critical. Ideally we would see an industry wide standard that all would subscribe to.

We would also encourage the leadership in our member agencies to do what they can to achieve the same through dialogue with their own people.

Ambitious? Perhaps, but we feel it would be for the betterment of our industry so we are prepared to try. We are of course mindful that we have no right to impose anything on independent publishers so would not presume to demand draconian reforms.

Unfortunately as an industry we are some way off any resolution, because right now we have editors who are disinclined to work together to help tackle an industry wide issue, and a small minority group of bitter people within (or probably on the periphery of) our industry who would rather continue to belittle others and the work of others than create something of merit of their own.

  • Anthony Freedman is chairman of The Communications Council and CEO of ad agency Host. This post is a copy of his response sent to all of the trade press
ADVERTISEMENT

Get the latest media and marketing industry news (and views) direct to your inbox.

Sign up to the free Mumbrella newsletter now.

 

SUBSCRIBE

Sign up to our free daily update to get the latest in media and marketing.