Making comments/adding subjects

I think the time has come to review the scope of what can be said on this site. Some recent comments have made serious accusations about individuals or businesses, which must at least be upsetting, and at worse could affect business.

Although it may be a shame to limit the possible value of this site by restricting what can be said, it seems only proper that no comments/posts should be made that could be considered libellous. While it can be difficult to prove libel, and to act against those who make such comments, especially if made anonymously, it's only fair to err on the side of caution.

In future, please avoid making any comments that are defamatory, malicious or untrue, whether about individuals or businesses. I'll add racist to that list, too. If you wish to make a comment that might stray into this area, please phrase it in such a way that does not make specific allegations against identifiable individuals or businesses. In future, any comments that are, or may be, potentially libellous will be deleted.

I'm sorry that this will restrict 'freedom of speech', but feel this is the way forward. (Unless anyone can provide clear legal evidence that there is no problem with complete freedom to write anything.)