The CBC is considering a new policy whereby people commenting on news stories must use their real names, a corporation spokesman has said in response to complaints from an MP.

The CBC's Jeff Keay: 'It is something we're thinking about, frankly." (CBC)

On Wednesday, Charlottetown MP Shawn Murphy issued a release calling for an end to anonymous commenting on news stories. He called many of the comments on the websites for CBC P.E.I. and the Charlottetown Guardian "hateful, many times untrue, and potentially defamatory."

Jeff Keay, head of media relations for CBC English services, said Thursday that the corporation is looking at whether it should adopt a new online commenting policy. Keay said most news agencies are struggling with the issue.

He pointed to a newspaper editorial page as a possible model.

"People have to sign their real name, and the newspapers, for example, will check and verify the identity of the person," said Keay.

"That's not been the model in online, really, so we haven't gotten there yet, but it is something we're thinking about, frankly."

The possible change comes as good news to Dave Cormier. Two years ago, CBC Radio aired a story about his family. He and his wife were asking the IWK Foundation in Halifax to revamp some communications after their child died.

Dave Cormier and his partner were attacked by anonymous commenters in a CBC News story. (CBC)

Cormier says he had no problem with the radio story, but he wasn't prepared for comments when the story went onto the CBC website. He says many of them were anonymous and attacked his family.

"It was really hard on us, and it forced us to wonder where these people were and what exactly had given them the feeling they should make those kind of comments on it," said Cormier. "It is hard. It definitely is."

Still, Cormier wonders if it is possible to force hundreds or even thousands of people to identify themselves.

He believes the journalists themselves need more control over comments on their stories and the ability to exclude what he calls the fringe element.

"We can't let those people run our culture," said Cormier.

"At some point, we've got to be able to control them in such a way, keep them out of the discussion, or at least ignore them to the point where we can have the discussions that are important in our culture in a public space."

Until then, Cormier says he and his partner probably won't be doing any more media interviews. He says they've had enough of being attacked by people hiding behind screen names.