Hot take: I used to defend that local news comment section's 'free speech' until I saw what it was doing to my neighbor

So for years I was that person in my building who'd argue that the town newspaper's online comment section needed to stay open no matter what. Thought censorship was the enemy. But after watching my elderly neighbor get harassed daily by people posting her address under articles about zoning disputes, I realized I was wrong. The thing that tipped me off was when she showed me 45 screenshots of threats. They weren't having a debate, they were using the platform to bully someone who couldn't fight back. The paper closed comments last month and honestly the neighborhood is quieter now. Anyone else had one of those moments where you realized your big principle was actually hurting someone real?

2 comments

2 Comments

patriciam2210d ago

It's the same pattern with Nextdoor, turns into a weapon fast.

kevin_schmidt9710d agoMost Upvoted

@patriciam22 totally lol reminds me of when my neighbor used ring to report me for not mowing.

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