An American newspaper has implemented an alternative plan for make money from its online content, by bringing in a charging system for comments on its site.
The Sun Chronicle, which provides news for much of southern Massachusetts, will charge its readers 99 cents for each comment they wish to make on the stories. Posters will have to submit valid credit card information when they submit their comments.
The Chronicle's publisher, Oreste D'Arconte, said the changes – which will also see posters' names and towns published on the post – were as much for editorial reasons as for financial reasons.
He said, "This change is being made in an attempt to eliminate past excesses that included blatant disregard for our appropriateness guidelines, blind accusations and unsubstantiated allegations."
Declaring that posters who violate the guidelines will be banned from the site, he continued, "This is a necessary step, in my opinion, if The Sun Chronicle is going to continue to provide a forum for comments on our websites."
The move has drawn some criticisms from some frequent internet posters who feel anonymous speech often supports the most honest and open of comments.
