Anyone who reads this blog even occasionally knows how I loathe and despise the journalism industry’s use of instant, anonymous, unmoderated message boards such as Topix. They undermine everything a good journalistic enterprise should stand for.

I am not alone in this, of course, but few papers have the spine or determination to create online discussion areas that preserve the basic journalistic tenants of fairness, transparency, and civility. The Buffalo News is trying it, at least, and bully for them.

Here’s my favorite line from their recently published rationale for the change:

We have felt for some time that The News’ reputation for fairness and good taste was being damaged.