Pop PR’s Jeremy Pepper has a post on comment moderation. I must agree, I’ve seen this happening, too. It is particularly prevalent in some of the more popular blogs.

OK, first of all – when you visit Jeremy’s post be aware – graphic post. PG-13 (Violence, Graphic Imagery) :blush:

As to his commentary? I agree. Comment moderation is for the faint of heart (or those that have something to protect – like their inadequacies?).

I find it particularly sad when the moderating of comments occurs on those blogs where blogging is touted as the “New PR” and served with cherry koolaid and cookies.

The thin-skinned pseudo gurus are transparently self-serving and rarely (if ever) add anything to the conversation. Perhaps that is why they avoid the comments? Their vacuous posts are unveiled all too often? Just a guess.

Now, whether a politician or practitioner, it is quite likely that either (a) staff or (b) an intern could take up the moderation chores if the blogger is him/herself too lazy (busy) to do so. Set some guidelines and let all but spam, libel or vulgarity through to continue the conversation.

That being said, I’ve noticed that my comments on a few blogs sit idle in moderation while other (more glowing) comments fly through. Then, a day or two later (when the post has been pushed from the front page) the comment miraculously appears. I tend to ask questions. Sometimes they are probing. On a few blogs, they go unanswered. So, I don’t read those blogs anymore – unless someone sends me a link or I see it referenced in another blog. And, I certainly wouldn’t recommend such a blog to a student or other blogger as a ‘source of influence’ in any way.

If someone is thin-skinned in PR, they are doomed to either sadness or failure (probably both). If you are going to put your name out there, be prepared for the possible challenge.

I like the challenge. I learn from it quite often.

Perhaps this is part of the problem, too. Some bloggers are so certain they are ‘right’ on all issues, and they fear hearing evidence to the contrary.

Come on … If Richard Edelman can handle comments (and respond to comments) – while moderating them himself – I think we can all take a shot at it.

Now, how can we apply the knowledge of who moderates and who doesn’t in a constructive manner? Here is one suggestion. Go to this list. Then, determine which ones are moderating comments. Now, make a little mental note. Use that knowledge in giving weight – validity – to the value of “Most Authority” the list implies. I’m not saying it totally destroys the blogger’s authority, but – in the “open conversations” of blog world – it certainly shows that they “just don’t get it”. If they don’t get that? What else don’t they get? Just thinking out loud here.