We just read in the parsha the prohibition of ארור מכה רעהו בסתר Cursed is he who is strikes his fellow in secret. The Pasuk, Rashi explains is referring to Lashon Hora.
In today's media of frum blogs and websites, were people post negative anonymous posts and comments, either online or in print, as a unsigned letter to the editor critical of an individual, there is a possibility of violating this לאו.
There are Rabbanim in Eretz yisrael that said about the writers of anonymous Pashkevillin, that are publicly attacking or undermining a group with no signatures, that they are in violation of ארור מכה רעהו בסתר.
Another factor is, by posting or commenting anonymously the person in reference can not defend or answer the accusation. Perhaps if one left an email address or contact information that would enable the person or group to refute or call you out for slander. By hiding behind your name you do harm and dont give the intended target a chance to respond. If something bothers you best to approach the individual to his face and tell him what you think. As we approach Rosh Hashana it is good to keep in mind -yes the frum Bloggers too (this blog included) of the damage and danger of commenting and posting Lashon hora even with a signed name, May we have a Ksiva vachasima Tova.
To Host or to Post? That is the question. host or post
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