A change for comments on the Opinion channel

As you know, newspapers everywhere are struggling with the hurlyburly of online commenting. How do we encourage the best debate and dialogue? What standards should we set in our online forums? How should we set them?

We already have a model that has worked well and for a very long time: Your Views -- reader letters -- in each day’s newspaper. There are differences, of course: We include a letter-writer’s name and hometown; comments don’t include either.

That will change. Starting in a few weeks, commenters on PilotOnline.com’s Opinion channel will have to provide the same information letter-writers do.

This only applies to comments on letters, editorials and columns on the Op-ed and Forum pages. Commenting on news stories *will not* change. You can still be anonymous there.

The verification process will require a simple credit card transaction. After you log in, on your profile page you’ll see a button linking to a secure page. Fill out the form and you're done.

It won’t cost anything, and your data is secure.

Becoming a verified commenter immediately gives you new privileges: Your comments on Opinion pieces will appear as soon as you write them, and -- because everyone will know who you are -- we plan to print the best comments in The Virginian-Pilot.

We hope you’ll consider taking part.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at donald.luzzatto@pilotonline.com or 757-446-2251.