The Internet provides the immediacy and broad reach that enable newspapers to serve as a dynamic forum on local and national issues. The challenge continues to be how to keep the conversations stimulating, enlightening, timely — and civil.

Commenters often provide additional insight, point out errors and suggest good follow-ups, all of which are helpful and welcome.

And then there are the other ones.

For months, Online Editor Emily Donohue monitored comments posted to stories on The Saratogian website throughout the day. A handful of commenters monopolized an inordinate amount of her workweek in her admirable quest to maintain courtesy and encourage civility in a mostly free-wheeling format.

Donohue moved on to other adventures a few weeks ago, so I’ve been relying more heavily on you, readers, to flag offensive, angry, off-topic comments. With the online editor position open, I’ve been monitoring comments and reviewing those that go into a holding cue pending approval.

Some are fine. Many are, well, … shame on you.

While I love to engage with readers, I have neither the time nor inclination to engage with commenters, especially anonymous ones, who intentionally misuse the opportunity.

Personal attacks (particularly about other commenters), foul language (blatant or thinly di$gui$ed), name-calling and incessant nastiness prompt me not merely to delete comments, but to blacklist commenters. (If you are not successful at flagging a comment, email me at blom|bardo@saratogian.com.

Also, expect comments to be closed on things like stories about crime and politically charged opinion page pieces that bring out the worst of the worst. We’re still the place for your non-anonymous opinions, which you can send to letters@saratogian. com.

Not everyone gets the hook without a warning. Last week I emailed a commenter letting him specifically know why I was going to delete a comment. “You are welcome to resubmit without the name-calling,” I wrote.

His response: “Thank you but I will not resubmit anything to your paper, the censorship shown by you is intolerable and I will no longer submit or read anything in The Saratogian.”

Censorship? My first responsibility is to The Saratogian and its credibility, not to people who mistakenly think any newspaper is obligated to publish whatever is submitted.

When I write editorials, I strive to avoid name-calling and other cheap shots that would diminish my point or the potency of the position being presented. Readers should strive for the same — or at least stay out of the gutter.

A related issue facing reporters everywhere is if, when and how to respond to comments on their stories. The other day reporters participated in a live chat on that topic hosted by an editor at the Daily Freeman in Kingston, one of our sister publications under the umbrella of Digital First Media.

A couple of reporters on the chat summed up the why and how: Responding “shows readers we’re interested in what they have to say, and helps them understand we’re more than bylines,” wrote one; responses “should be professional, obviously, and NOT be about having the last word. Let the reporting and info speak for themselves,” added another.

But, asked one reporter, “Should you defend yourself/the paper if people bash you relentlessly?” If it’s relentless, it’s time to call in the managing editor to either respond or hit delete.

Occasionally, a reader rescues a reporter from undue criticism. Last week someone had the gall to chastise a reporter and this newspaper for not having a pre-dawn fire reported on the website until early morning.

A gallant reader quickly defended the right of journalists to be asleep at four in the morning. I didn’t respond then so I will now: Thank you, sir.