"Cybernats", often single individuals representing nobody but themselves, got enormous publicity, used to discredit the Yes side in the 2014 independence referendum (The truth about Scotland and online abuse: 'cybernats' and 'cyberbrits' are just as bad as each other, Analysis, February 19). This was particularly the case in relation to criticism of JK Rowling. Courteous responses from Yes supporters to JK Rowling's donation to and statement of support for the No side, particularly a detailed statement by Professor Nicola McEwen of Edinburgh University, were largely ignored.
While I personally regretted and disagreed with Ms Rowling's position at that time, I appreciated the fact that she made a statement which included both the possibility that she might be mistaken, which was unusual for those on the No side, and apparently sincere identification with Scotland. I enjoyed and value her Harry Potter books, which seem to me to include good political insights.
David Stevenson
Edinburgh
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It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
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We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
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