NewsOK switching to Facebook commenting

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So beginning today, NewsOK is making changes designed to improve the nature and tone of the dialogue for itsaudience. 

 

We’re switching to Facebook commenting, requiring users to login with their Facebook account in order to make a comment on an article.

 

We care about the conversation. We care so much about the conversation that we are willing to give up quantity for quality. We expect this change to result in fewer comments on our site. But we also expect this change to encourage more users to participate. And we're confident that we will see more constructive discourse about issues in Oklahoma.

 

Why? Because all the comments will be tied to a real person’s Facebook profile, making users accountable for what they post and eliminating the veil of anonymity. 

 

We understand that this decision won't make every NewsOK user happy. Some will say we're trying to censor voices. Others will extol the virtues of anonymous posts for freedom of expression. Still others will refuse to use Facebook and therefore won't be able to comment on NewsOK.

 

But we expect a far greater percentage of our users will be pleased with this move. 

 

After all, we want to encourage an open exchange of ideas. We want people to participate without fear they will be attacked by anonymous profiles. We want our users to have healthy, constructive debates. 

 

We think moving to Facebook commenting will allow more of that to happen.