Gordon, Mediacourant and the hate reactions

Where Gordon is, there is trouble. And a lot of fun and enjoyment because I love Gordon, but somehow there is always a conflict attached. The latest fuss on Gordon's record: a quarrel with Mediacourant. I have to remain guilty about what the disputed article was about because I can't find it anywhere, but of course, it went wild with the reactions on the site, many of which are hurtful and homophobic in nature.

Gordon asked Mediacourant to remove the reactions and they initially did not want to. Then Gordon decided to file a lawsuit against Mediacourant, also immediately requesting the state to make anonymous commenting impossible. Mediacourant apologized and eventually removed the reactions. With difficulty, because the reactions had been part of their site for seventeen years and you can only comment on pieces that are not older than a day.

I must say that I at AMAYZINE have also decided not to provide a comment space because, how shall I put this politely, it does not always go very civilized and nuanced in the comment sections. Facebook is a place where people can comment on an article and emailing (or calling) is always possible. This way, you come to a substantive conversation sooner.

I completely agree with Gordon that there should be an end to anonymous commenting and that having an account anonymously or under a pseudonym should be made impossible. It is so easy to spew your hate online and then make yourself a fresh cappuccino while the person in question is installing the noose and the stool. You don't know how hard it comes across until you are pelted with rotten tomatoes yourself.

Are you a guy with balls or a chick with a big mouth, then at least have the guts to say it under your own name and not shout an insult at someone passing by only to then dive behind the hedge very hard.

It will all be difficult with privacy legislation, but is there ANYONE who can do something about this and can we at least set it up so that people with an account like hatsieflatsie4 and koediekoekiedoe89 simply cannot be shown? And maybe to everyone who sends such messages: Please. Be. Kind. It's free. And ever heard of karma? Well then.

Image: Talpa