Google News Allowing Story Participants To Comment

Jamie found this analysis of Google News's foray into community commentary. They are starting it off by only allowing people involved with the story to comment — and participants must first be authenticated by email. The article rounds up other bloggers' views on the game-changing nature, and the possible dangers to Google, of this new feature. Here is a sample of comments to a Google News story.

I'd like to comment

[niceone]

But I'm not involved in the story. So I won't.

Copying this policy could really work for Slashdot I think.

My name is Carl Rove

[bigattichouse]

Yep, its me alright.. promise. See the email address [e-mail] - how could it not be me. They'd have to employ a large number of, oh, say journalists to verify each and every participant.

Re:My name is Carl Rove

[eln]

I think your inability to spell your own first name correctly might give you away.

insightful?

[hey]

How insightful is this?

Evil Corp: we aren't evil, you are mistaken

Expert: oh yes you are, but i love those fries

Funny...

[Anonymous Coward]

...back in my day companies used to issue a "press release" to comment on these types of things; you know, something that could actually be vetted as accurate and coming directly from the right people?

Pointless

[snowwrestler]

Everyone knows that comments on news stories are either trolls, flamebait, or offtopic. Just look at the moderation on this for proof.

Re:Atypical

[russ1337]

>>> I think you should look more to slashdot and digg for what the comments will look like.

Good call, And I think the webcomic XKCD summed it up with this post [xkcd.com]