Some posted comments irresponsible

To the editor:

I recently read on-line the article regarding the alleged rape of a local woman by Zebulon Whisler. At the end of the article there were posts which I frankly found disturbing and offensive. I know that the Anchorage Daily News has also experienced these types of blogs in response to articles. I believe that newspaper has become vigilant about reviewing the posts and censoring those that would be most offensive and/or disturbing. It particularly is of great concern to me when posters can offer an unsubstantiated opinion about the guilt of an accused person prior to trial. I cannot speak to the guilt or innocence of the accused; that is for a jury of his peers to fact find. If those posters, however, have legitimate information, they should contact the police with that information — not abrogate the fundamental right to trial by jury and an accused’s presumption of innocence until proven guilty by libeling or damning the accused prior to trial. Many of these posts have the tenor of semi-literate vigilantism. Are we not better than this as a community? Do we not hold precious our constitutional rights? When we foreswear these rights in a newspaper via these vituperative blogs it demeans us all and cheapens freedom of the press.

Tara C. Wreyford

Palmer