It was becoming a real cesspool over there. Glad the paper of record for GTown took steps to avoid the ugliness that came with anonymous online posting.
I Commend the Gloucester Daily Times For Decision To Make Commentors Use Real Names
My View of Life on the Dock
Good Morning Gloucester 
I agree 100%. The cesspool is why I never commented on the GDT online. My wise old grandfather (Yewell D. Scales) once advised me: “Fred, you don’t ever want to get into a pissing contest with a skunk.” I think that about sums it up.
LikeLike
I agree 100% too….I stopped reading the posts out of disgust. It was like a one on one with some of the posts…..I bet you won’t see many posts now !!
LikeLike
so agree, some of the comments were just so ugly.
LikeLike
I agree that it’s the right decision. I think it’s a brave decision by the Gloucester Times, too. This is a longstanding newspaper debate. When I was an editor years ago, it was about anonymous “Speak Out” phone messages that were printed on the editorial page. It was difficult to end those, too, because they kept lots of people interested in the paper every week.
Now, at a time when newspaper advertising dollars are plummeting, newspapers need every reader they can get to keep the advertisers coming back. When margins are so thin it’s risky to change things up in a way that could cost you readers. There’s no doubt that requiring names will raise the debate and reduce the hate in the online comments. That’s a good thing. I hope, like Fred says above, that more people will comment now and the GDT comment section will become a livelier, more interesting place. I’m not so sure it will but I hope for the best.
Having a local daily newspaper of record strengthens our community here on Cape Ann. It lets us keep track of our local government and weigh in on important issues that affect our schools and neighborhoods and roads and elections and a million other things. A local daily is yet another thing that makes Cape Ann different from every other bland milquetoast exurb out there. Local dailies are becoming fewer and we’re lucky to have one. Like Joey, I believe strongly that it and an awesome blog like GMG can co-exist. It’s why I continue to subscribe to the print Gloucester Times and hope others do, too.
Congratulations, Gloucester Daily Times, on a brave decision. It’s the right call. And thanks for doing your part (since 1888) to help make our little corner the best place to live on the planet.
LikeLike
Thanks John. Now I know why I instinctively liked you – you’ve got ink in your blood. I was shooting for newspapers at age 14, with camera, notebook, and bicycle. Our Gloucester Daily Times will only improve because of this change. I’ll be watching, and perhaps comment as confidently as I do here on GMG. It’s all about taking responsibility, being accountable for what you say, and looking all of the GDT readers in the eye. See you in the comments section of our newspaper!
LikeLike
Well called, Ray. Thanks!
LikeLike
This site here by Joey C is outstanding one of the best I have been on…A mix of everything one stop shopping information highway i really enjoy the pictures and prospective. I believe standing by what you say and who’s behind itI didn’t know about the change and saw a few of my posts be deleted. So send an email got a reply from GDT Mr. Ray Lamont the next day. Lanesville-lanescove the class of the 60-68…I have to see if I can dig up some of my older pictures from back that way scan them in.
“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination. Jimmy Dean (Singer-1928-2010)
LikeLike