THE right to free speech does not mean that you are allowed to say anything you fancy without consequence.

All journalists know this, and most readers who are kind enough to submit letters for publication in the Hear All Sides section of our newspaper seem understand the concept too.

We do still get a few miscreants who continue to send in correspondence packed with the sort of wild allegations, rumours and conspiracy theories which would have a libel lawyer salivating at the prospect of a huge payday. On second thoughts, I imagine that most days are huge paydays for libel lawyers.   

They certainly would be if newspapers did not keep a close eye on their websites.

The rules of etiquette and mutual respect which most of us adhere to in our day-to-day lives appear to go out of the window when some individuals sit down at their computer keyboards. The 'Comments' section at the end of an online news story is a popular gathering point for such people and certain types of stories are like catnip to keyboard warriors.

You can usually predict which ones will attract the most libellous comments. Anything to do with the travelling community or immigrants seem to quicken the pulses and dull the judgement of those keen to blame the ills of society on minorities.  

This week we posted on our website a court report about a drunk Iraqi man who admitted a racially aggravated public order offence for shouting obscenities in church and threatening to “kill white people”. Before too long we had to suspend comments on the story as some of them broke the law.  

We did this with great reluctance as we believe strongly in promoting freedom of expression, but when illegal and abusive messages appear on our sites we take our responsibilities as a publisher very seriously. Unlike Facebook or Google we in the newspaper trade don't shrug and say: "we only host this rubbish, it's got nothing to do with us". 

Please continue to send us letters, emails, messages, videos and join the debate about the stories we write - just don’t forget that with comment comes responsibility.  

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