Guidelines for Newsroom reader comments

While Newsroom is open to all and welcomes robust debate and discussions on all types of issues, and has refrained from using the blue pencil on reader comments,  from Saturday, August  21 we will apply Google guidelines for publishers.

 Comments that promote harmful health claims, or relate to a current, major health crisis and contradict authoritative scientific consensus will not appear. This includes claims that COVID-19 is not real, false claims about vaccines, and unsubstantiated remedies or treatments. Additionally, the Google policy prohibits content promoting anti-vaccine theories, which, in recent months, have often accompanied misinformation around the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hateful content 

Google policy does not allow content that incites hatred and violence, promotes discrimination or disparages groups of people. This includes content promoting hate groups or content that harasses, intimidates, or bullies an individual or group of individuals.

Elections 

The policy does not allow claims that are demonstrably false and could significantly undermine participation or trust in an electoral or democratic process. This includes content about the 2020 U.S. Presidential election that claims voter fraud was widespread or claims that the results of the election are illegitimate.