In story comments posted anonymously by readers of the ongoing murder story involving a Honduran suspect and Native American victim, some objected to what they described as hate speech inciting violence. Others felt the story threads were laced with racism. And others believed that the First Amendment protected the anonymous, if invective-packed, opinions expressed by individuals who were unwilling to be identified. In print journalism, the rules are more clear-cut. Courts have for many years outlined what constitutes libel -- the written defamation of an individual -- and what recourse there might be. Editors are charged with deciding what community standards, rather than the courts, will accept. But in cyberspace, online information providers and their readers are still working out many of the rules for a new medium/Coeur d'Alene Press Editorial. More here.

Question: What do you make of this Coeur d'Alene Press editorial today? It goes on to say that the Press is instituting a feature next month that allows online readers to eliminate objectionable comments.