For the past several months, we have observed an increasing number of individuals participating on TNN’s Facebook platform anonymously, through pseudonyms, aliases and profiles that provide little or no indication of the identity of the person behind them.
Facebook now provides certain Groups with an anonymous participation feature, allowing members, where enabled by administrators, to post or comment anonymously or using a nickname.
TNN was established to give people a voice. We remain firmly committed to that principle.
Our platform should be a place where people can challenge political leaders, question institutions, disagree with public policy and express strong and sometimes unpopular opinions. That freedom is an important part of healthy public discourse.
However, freedom of expression and accountability should exist together.
Increasingly, anonymity is being used not simply to express an opinion, but as a shield from which individuals can launch personal, political and social attacks against others without accepting responsibility for their words.
We do not believe that reflects the spirit in which TNN was created.
Accordingly, TNN will no longer permit anonymous participation or deliberately generated pseudonyms designed to conceal the identity of contributors. Individuals wishing to participate in discussions should do so through a Facebook profile that reasonably identifies who they are.
This is not about silencing criticism. We welcome criticism. We welcome disagreement. We welcome vigorous political and social debate.
But if we are going to demand accountability from our politicians, community leaders, institutions and each other, there must also be a reasonable degree of accountability from those participating in that conversation.
Have your voice. Challenge us. Challenge those in authority. Disagree strongly if you wish. But be prepared to stand behind your words.
That is the standard we believe best reflects what TNN stands for: giving people a voice while promoting truth, fairness and responsible public discourse.
Any content which is considered unsuitable, unlawful, or offensive, includes personal details, advertises or promotes products, services or websites, or repeats previous comments will be removed.
User comments posted on this website are solely the views and opinions of the comment writer and are not a representation of or reflection of the opinions of TNN or its staff.
TNN reserves the right to remove, edit or censor any comments.
TNN accepts no liability and will not be held accountable for the comments made by users.