Comments Section Permanently Closed

Shortwave America has enacted a new policy effective immediately. Due to continued abuse of the comments section, specifically, comments that meet with the legal definition of threats, slander, libel, and defamation; the comments sections of this publication are now permanently closed. The comments section will not re-open again in the future.

Sadly, the reality is that the internet allows people to be anonymous. Internet anonymity was intended for a select and narrow group of people to have some sort of shield against their freedom of speech being violated or chilled at the very least. When this anonymity is abused, such as we see in this current day across the wide territory of the internet, we must start re-thinking the whole idea of anonymity and what requirements a person needs to meet to obtain and use anonymity. Unfortunately, the law is slow at catching up with modern day technology.

Shortwave America has made a commitment to create and maintain a safe environment for people from all over the world of all ages to enjoy, and has openly made a commitment to address the pandemic known as cyber-harassment, cyber-stalking, and cyber-bullying.

The decision to close the comments section was not made lightly, but has become a necessity. Furthermore, the fact that the comments section has been open for years and has only been used very rarely by people making legitimate comments further justifies the closing of the comments section.

  

Restatement Of Shortwave America Comments Policy

In the last 24 hours, an anonymous person posted in the comments section on a post more than 14 days old which means that comment moderation is in effect. This comment was the most vile, hateful, and violent this publication has received to date.

Shortwave America and its staff are all completely in favor of free speech with no apologies, however, we will not publish comments that are overtly hateful, violent, or espouse hate based on a person's protected class such as "Disability, sexual orientation, race, gender, ethnicity, faith based beliefs, or protected diplomatic / protected legal immigrant / legal alien resident status." Shortwave America also will not publish material or comments that are defamatory, slanderous, or libelous.

That said, in order to keep Shortwave America a safe place for all visitors, Shortwave America is weighing the possibility of criminal and / or civil prosecution of the person who left the most recent comment. The contents of this comment were so horrible that it will NOT be published here for any reason. All we have to say is that this anonymous commenter should really be ashamed of themselves and consider seeking professional clinical help.

Who Says Radio Is Dying?

Based on the high, and constantly growing number of people reading this publication on a daily & weekly basis; based on watching the most popular radio forums and the level of participation happening, radio enthusiasts can rest assured that radio is not dying! The demographic of participants in the Licensed Amateur ranks and SWL circles has simply changed with the times.

The Shortwave America links section pertaining to Shortwave Radio websites has grown over the weekend. Before adding any new links, SWA checks the sites to ensure accuracy of information, that the sites are up to date, that it provides something valuable for public use, and that it actually has some sort of acceptable participation. If any of these elements are missing, this publication looks at the site for historical value.

Shortwave America welcomes: On The Shortwaves - with an excellent history of shortwave radio, Hard Core DX, HF Skeds, Shortwave.be with their station listing by type feature, Transmitter Documentation Project, ClandestineRadio.com, Clandestine Radio Watch, and Koshko with an excellent site! In the Popular Discussions links list, Shortwave America welcomes The FRN Vine! More and more pirate broadcasters are asking that reports be sent either to HF Underground or FRN.

Be sure to visit those sites in the SWA links listings, they really appreciate the traffic just the same as Shortwave America enjoys and appreciates the traffic from all of you who read! Before this article comes to an end, please note that Shortwave America wants your comments! The comments sections are wide open without moderation unless the article is more than 14 days old. This is to ensure that old subjects don't get re-hashed unless absolutely needed, but be sure your comments on those articles more than 14 days old will be reviewed and published unless it does not meet with the simple, but few rules posted in the comments section. The comment decorum rules are self explanatory, short, and simple so as to allow for readers to feel comfortable posting.

Shortwave America IS NOT LIKE QRZ or other restrictive interactive message boards! One more thing before closing this article out....SWA was sorry to hear Crystal Ship getting crushed by QRN and bad propagation this past evening! Maybe you need to turn up the juice boys! We love hearing ya out here!

Have a great week everyone!