Comment moderation

Editorial Team | Corrections | Comment Moderation | Disclaimer | Contact

We have found that people who use their real names in comments carry on more engaging, respectful conversations. This is intended to create a space where readers can exchange intelligent and informed commentary that enhances the quality of our news and information.

We welcome strong opinions and criticism of our reporters’ work, but personal attacks to writers of The Linc will not be tolerated.

Any libellous comments will be deleted as soon as our attention is drawn to them and may make the poster liable to legal action by the host. Please note that proof, either for or against, may be requested in order to substantiate the complaint.

The Linc moderates all incoming comments on the website. Our goal is to provide substantial commentary for a general readership. When you post a comment to this site, it is not automatically published. It is held in a queue until we approve or reject it.

As the majority of comments will be moderated in their pre-publication state, not all edits will be noted/apparent (i.e. no ‘removed by a administrator’ notice will appear). If we feel there may be some confusion or if a reason is requested, an explanation will be given.

The decision of the editorial team is final. You may plead your case by email and we are open to debate, but there will be no free-for-all in the comments. If you believe your comment was unrightfully rejected or edited, please contact us.

When you leave a comment, please consider:

• Fill in the name field with your real name or initials and leave a valid email address for contacting you. The email address will not be published.

• Comments are typically posted faster during business hours.

• Moderation can be less frequent in the evening and on weekends.

• IP addresses will be tracked if we suspect malicious activity, and we reserve the right to blacklist repeat offenders.

• More than three hyperlinks in a comment will be considered spam.

• Comment moderation will be on full-time, and all comments will be read by a moderator prior to publication (or deletion).

• We will edit or delete any insulting or abusive comments outright.

• In many cases, we may fix spelling and punctuation in readers’ comments.

• Offensive material or material of a kind likely to cause harrasment will not be tollerated and will be reported to the proper authorities.