Charlottetown MP Shawn Murphy is warning people to stop making potentially defamatory comments on the websites of CBC P.E.I. and the Charlottetown Guardian newspaper.

Charlottetown MP Shawn Murphy says he expects a lawsuit could eventually result from comments made on news websites. (shawnmurphymp.ca)

Both sites offer readers the opportunity to post anonymous comments in response to news stories.

"I am actually shocked at some of the anonymous comments that are posted online," Murphy said in a news release issued late on Wednesday. "Some are hateful, many times untrue, and potentially defamatory.

Murphy did not identify any particular story or comments but expressed a more general concern.

"The law is clear and it is just a matter of time before both the media organizations and the actual writers of some of these comments end up on the wrong side of an expensive and costly defamation suit."

Murphy said commenters cannot hide from the law, referring to recent cases in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick where courts ordered the release of identifying information of anonymous authors of comments.

"I believe there is a mistaken view out there that the internet is the Wild West, and the law that applies to magazines and television and does not apply," he said.

Murphy expressed surprise that both the Guardian and CBC still allow comments to be made anonymously. While supporting free speech, Murphy said people should have the courage to, and be forced, to disclose their identities.