The Washington Post's post.blog has "shut off comments on this blog indefinitely" due to "personal attacks, the use of profanity and hate speech."

We're not questioning the inappropriate content of some of the comments, nor are we judging the Post's decision to turn off the comments.

BUT, from a PR perspective, this will likely hurt the Post's image in the eyes of many...

...an Ombudsman who won't respond to critics?
...a blog that won't allow for comments?

As we've noted before, the Post has, in many ways, lead the industry in its transparency. Is this the beginning of a change in thinking?