Couch wants to axe anonymous Web site postings

Hyden Republican State Rep. Tim Couch is introducing a bill that would disallow people from posting anonymously on Web sites, Pol Watchers reports.

“Couch's bill would require anyone who contributes to a Web site to register their real name, address and e-mail address with that Web site. Their full name then would be used whenever they posted a comment.

“Web site operators who violated the disclosure law would be fined $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for each subsequent offense.

“Couch on Wednesday readily acknowledged that his bill raises First Amendment issues regarding free speech, so he won't be pushing it. But he wanted to call attention to the phenomenon of unkind and often untrue comments about people being posted online by Kentuckians hiding behind the cloak of anonymity.”