Buffalo News Putting End to Hidden Posters

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The Buffalo News, the only newspaper owned by Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway, will no longer allow anonymous comments to stories in their online edition.

In the coming weeks, the daily newspaper serving the Buffalo/Niagra Falls market will require its Website readers to complete an online form that requires readers to disclose their name, town, and telephone number. Any posted comment following news stories will include the name and town of the blogger.

 The newspaper's online editor hopes the new policy will elevate discourse and provide a measure of accountability to readers who post comments. In the past, the newspaper has tried several measures to curb vitriolic and incendiary anonymous posts, including not permitting comments after certain stories editors believed might attract hateful commentary.

The News acknowledges its new practice is labor-intensive, but is hopeful it will raise the level of discussion.