The Globe and Mail’s Decision to Close Comments on Middle East Coverage: A Necessary Measure to Combat Online Toxicity
The Globe and Mail recently implemented a significant change to its online platform: the closure of comments on all articles related to the Middle East. This decision, while met with mixed reactions, stems from a growing concern over the rampant spread of misinformation, personal attacks, and hateful rhetoric within the comments sections of these articles. It represents the culmination of a series of measures implemented over the past two years aimed at mitigating the negative impact of online toxicity on both readers and journalists. The newspaper believes this action is necessary to protect its staff and foster a more constructive online environment.
The pervasive nature of online abuse has taken a significant toll on the mental well-being of journalists and moderators alike. A 2022 report, “Taking Care,” highlighted the damaging effects of repeated exposure to online vitriol, with one journalist likening the experience to being more distressing than interviews with trauma victims. The anonymity afforded by online platforms often emboldens individuals to post comments they would never utter in face-to-face interactions, leading to an escalation of hostility and personal attacks. Furthermore, moderators tasked with sifting through these comments also bear the brunt of this negativity, with studies showing a significant impact on their mental health.
The Globe’s decision to close comments on Middle East coverage is not an isolated incident, but rather reflects a growing trend within the news media industry. Several prominent news organizations, including the CBC, The Guardian, and The New York Times, have implemented similar measures, ranging from partial to complete closures of their comments sections. The CBC, for instance, closed comments on articles concerning Indigenous issues in 2015 due to a disproportionate number of hateful and offensive comments. Similarly, The Guardian restricts comments to select articles based on a study revealing a correlation between specific topics, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the prevalence of abusive comments.
The Globe’s policy on comment closure extends beyond current events surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and encompasses all articles related to the Middle East, regardless of the section – business, life, opinion, etc. This policy evolved from an initial implementation of time-limited commenting on coverage of the conflict, which was later extended to all articles before ultimately culminating in the complete closure. The newspaper experimented with extending the commenting window to five days, but the volume of negative comments proved unsustainable. The standard 48-hour window remains in effect for most other articles, with the caveat that comments may be closed on any article for legal reasons or due to excessive abusive content.
The Globe emphasizes that the closure of comments on Middle East articles is not intended to stifle discussion or criticism of its coverage. Constructive feedback is always welcome, but the newspaper draws a clear distinction between thoughtful critique and unsubstantiated assertions, personal attacks, and hateful language. The decision to close the comments section on a recent editorial focusing on free speech, albeit briefly and in error, fueled speculation among some readers that the newspaper was attempting to muzzle dissent. However, The Globe maintains that the closure was unintentional and quickly rectified, and that the policy is not designed to suppress opposing viewpoints.
Despite the closure of comments on Middle East coverage, The Globe continues to provide avenues for readers to share their feedback. Letters to the editor are still encouraged, as is direct communication with newsroom staff and the standards editor. The newspaper recognizes the importance of engaging with its readers and values constructive dialogue, while simultaneously upholding its commitment to maintaining a respectful and productive online environment. The decision to close comments, while difficult, is seen as a necessary step to protect the well-being of its staff and readers while mitigating the harmful effects of online toxicity.