Conversations: Code of Conduct

Conversations on thespec.com are subject to this Code of Conduct and our Terms of Use, each of which may be updated from time to time. Please read these carefully before participating in Conversations. The opinions expressed by our readers are not endorsed by The Spectator.

For ease of your review, this Code of Conduct is structured in a question and answer format.

1. What is the purpose of Conversations at the Spectator?

Conversations within the Spectator’s news and information platforms offer an opportunity for readers to engage in healthy dialogue, share their thoughts on specific topics and help us foster engagement and transparency with our readership. Conversations, added to select Spectator articles, allow our community of registered users to share thoughtful ideas with other readers and our newsroom.

Conversations are a space to converse about news and information, and the issues they highlight, as well as discuss questions highlighted by the Spectator newsroom. We ask that readers stay on topic with the intended purpose of the Conversations. Feel free to discuss ideas but avoid personal attacks. Universal human rights are not up for debate on our sites.

2. How do I participate in Conversations?

Conversations will be enabled on select articles, typically for 72 hours after the article has been published. We reserve the right to close Conversations at any time. Anyone can read Conversations, but to contribute, participants must be registered Torstar account holders. Sign in to your Torstar account to participate in any Conversations. If you do not yet have a Torstar account, create one here (for home delivery subscribers) or here (for others). Upon registering for a Torstar account, you must provide your first and last name, which will appear publicly with any posts that you make.

3. What type of posts are encouraged?

Our goal is to have a healthy space where our community can discuss ideas in a civil manner. Conversations may begin with a question or statement from the Spectator to get things started, in which case posts should be made in response to that question or statement, or in response to other posted responses. In all cases, posts should be related to the article or topic that is associated with the Conversation. All posts must stay on topic and comply with this Code of Conduct and our Terms of Use. There may be a word limit at our discretion.

4. Why do I have to register?

Conversations are a means of building an engaged and civil community. We ask that readers register for a Torstar account to create that committed community. We do not permit anonymous posts or pseudonyms. We require all users to use their first and last name for all posts. Contributing to Conversations is an exclusive benefit for our registered users.

5. Why does my name show up next to my post?

We do not permit posts to be published in connection with a nickname or pseudonym. Because we strive to maintain a civil environment, and open and constructive discourse, all users must publish posts in association with their first and last name. We may remove any post where we suspect that a user has provided a false name or assumed another person’s identity.

6. When will my post be public in the Conversation?

Contributions to Conversations are typically visible immediately, though some may take time to be posted. Once a post is published, it may be removed at our sole discretion or if it violates this Code of Conduct or our Terms of Use.

7. How do I edit or remove my post in a Conversation?

Readers have five minutes in order to edit a post after submission. Once posted, readers are unable to remove posts after those five minutes expire and posts may remain on our website.

8. How do I flag a potentially inappropriate post in a Conversation?

Readers can flag any post as inappropriate by clicking the icon on the post and selecting “Flag.” Flagged posts may be removed at our sole discretion or if they violate this Code of Conduct or our Terms of Use.

9. Will journalists be participating in Conversations?

Spectator journalists may participate in Conversations. Readers are welcome to reach out to journalists via the contact information provided on their personal pages. These are accessible by clicking the byline at the top of the page.

10. The Conversation on an article is closed and I would like to contribute. When can I participate in a Conversation?

Conversations are typically open for 72 hours on select articles, though some may be open for a shorter or longer amount of time. Posts can still be viewed and also flagged after a Conversation has been closed.

11. What if I have a news tip related to a Conversation?

Contact information for Spectator journalists can be found by clicking the byline at the top of the page, or in the endnote at the bottom of the article.

12. What if I see an error in an article where there is a Conversation?

Readers can report claims of errors via the ‘Report an Error’ link at the bottom of each article page.

13. What types of posts are not acceptable?

Posts that violate our Terms of Use or contain any of the following are not acceptable and may be removed at our discretion:

Users are encouraged to converse in a civil and polite manner. Readers are encouraged to flag any posts that are not in the spirit of the Conversation or that do not comply with this Code of Conduct or our Terms of Use.

Repeat violations of this Code of Conduct or our Terms of Use may result in a registered user losing the privilege to continue posting in Conversations, either for a set time or, potentially, permanently.

14. What do I do if I have other questions, not related to Conversations?