Why Your Comments Matter Most on the Source Articles
When we share news stories on the FAC website, we always include a link to the original article. We do this not just to cite the source, but to give you the chance to share your perspective where it matters most — on the actual source article.
Last month, for example, we posted the News4 Jacksonville story on the Putnam Ordinance. We asked our members to “Please Comment on the Article.” The result? We received 38 thoughtful comments on our own site — but the original News4 Jacksonville story received only 4 comments total! It gives the public the appearance that nobody is bothered by the Ordinance, when nothing could be farther from the truth.
Don’t get us wrong: we value the conversations that happen on the FAC website. It’s encouraging, it’s educational, and it builds community. But when we only post here, we are preaching to the choir. We’re sharing our ideas with people who already agree with us.
If we want to change hearts and minds, we must go beyond our circle. That means posting directly on the source articles — where the general public, reporters, lawmakers, and community leaders are actually reading. Every comment left there helps balance the narrative, counters misinformation, and shows the public that registrants and their families are human beings with valid voices.
So here’s our ask: the next time you see a link to a news story on our site, don’t just comment here — click through and leave your comment on the original article. Even a short, respectful message makes a difference. That’s how we influence the broader conversation and push back against the stigma.
Let’s not just talk to each other. Let’s make sure the public hears us too.
And here are some comment tips:
Be respectful. Avoid insults or anger—it shuts people down.
Stay on message. Focus on liberty, fairness, effectiveness, and human impact. If you write about how punishing the laws are, people won’t care. They want us to be punished. But if you point out how ineffective and a waste of resources they are, people will be receptive.
Share your perspective. Personal experiences (yours or your family’s) make the issue real. Don’t be afraid to give your real-world examples of how the registry has prevented you from gaining employment, supporting your children, caring for elderly parents, putting a roof over your children’s head, etc.
Use facts. Cite research, court rulings, or real-world examples when you can. There is a wealth of scientific and legal research out there that you can cite to or link to. Make sure that you back up your facts with the research.
Keep it short. Most people won’t read long posts, so make your point clearly and concisely. I’ll leave it at that.
End with hope. Remind readers that reform is possible and benefits everyone. We all want our communities to be safer, registries do not make them so.
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I’ve been preaching this very thing for as long as I’ve been following Derek, FAC, ACSOL, et al. I’ve written directly to reporters/authors as well, at least when comments are not available. I also follow the Georgia legislature to keep an eye out for whatever they try to add to the registry here and write to the members of those committees. Several proposals I have written to them about have died in committee. I don’t know if my letters had anything to do with it, of course. But I like to think it did. While admittedly biased in this regard, it’s far easier for me to believe I had a role in dissuading them than it is to believe that our fearless failed lawyers in the general assembly somehow managed to acquire a little sense and decency at some point between the proposal being written and being rejected, or forego their incessant need to pander to the voting public.
But regarding News4Jacksonville specifically, they tend to not post comments that conflict with the narrative of one of their stories for the reason FAC posted above. They’ll only post one or two opposing points, if they can drown it in a bunch of other commentators in support.
The comment section never worked for me and I tried multiple browsers.
I tried to comment several times but when I opened up the comment section it just went blank. Either they turned comments off or something else I dont know but I couldn’t comment.
Exactly my experience recently when trying to accomplish the same push here. The source article has the control so the only thing we can do comment until they see comments in such mass they are uncomfortable with them. The paper in NY did that last month when such comments were left by those who visit FAC forums and leave comments.
So, yes, leave comments in the vein FAC advises above but realize the source may not allow many in the end that counter their narrative, which makes it a win for PFRs if such written disobedience to their narrative is countered.
The driver behind all sex offender laws is outrage. It is the visceral feeling of disgust and revulsion that comes with laws like these.
What is the cure? Personal experience is the most powerful magnifier of injustice.
Whether it is the personal experience of victims or the personal experience of an offender it is what drives sex offender laws.
These things have to change in the Judicial area. Fundamentally nothing can change unless it changes within the realm of the judiciary.
2 things must change. The 5th amendment due process clause applies to the registry and registrants have a Constitutional interest in registry laws.
And ending review of registry laws under rational basis test. The courts say a registry law doesn’t need to protect. It only needs to WANT to protect.
Without an interest in registry laws and requiring no basis of fact in a protection law, the future, as it is now is grim.
However Florida Action Committee does a great job under the circumstances. Keep up the good work….
100% agree. This is how to make a small ripple that eventually turns into a tsunami. We all know the facts but those that read these articles only have the information they’ve been given which is largely false. When a comment section is inundated with data and real-life experiences it may not change all minds, may not even change most, but…. to modify a line legislators like to use….”If it only changes one mind.” This battle is won on small compounding victories, sometimes so small they are almost imperceptible. Stay strong fam!