'Wash Post' Now Requires Registration for Blog Comments

By: Joe Strupp It seems blog comments are becoming a lot to handle for The Washington Post's Web site, according to MediaBistro.com's FishbowlDC.

Fishbowl reports that the Post has instituted a policy requiring those posting comments to blogs to register -- the same as they do for stories.

"Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactive has changed its comments policy for blogs," the report states. "Readers now have to be registered with washingtonpost.com in order to post comments. This is the same policy required for commenting on stories."

Adds Fishbowl: "Word is that there's been problems with spam attacks and the free-for-all policy on blogs. It's certainly had an effect: The change occurred late last week and you can already see a drop off in comments. A Sarah Palin item, for instance, might have drawn 300 comments before the change. Now it's likely to only garner 10-20."

Washingtonpost.com Executive Editor James Brady could not be reached immediately for comment Tuesday.