A US newspaper publisher has closed down an online forum due to "blatant misuse" by people posting racist material. Lancaster Newspapers, based in Pennsylvania, publishes the daily Intelligencer Journal and several other titles.

Chief executive Harold Miller said neither strict user guidelines nor the installation of software to screen objectionable language was able to prevent misuse.

He said: "Unfortunately, what began in 2000 as a good-faith effort by Lancaster Newspapers to increase reader interest in community news has provided a few individuals with a means to communicate hateful, abusive and unacceptable comments."

The forum has been criticised for "demeaning and racist comments about Hispanics, blacks and other minorities."

Source: E&P