Kerre Woodham: Contemptible impostor illustrates worst of web

MURDERED: Sophie Elliott has been used in the deception. Photo / Supplied

I accept, as someone who's paid to offer my opinions in print and on talkback, that not everyone's going to agree with me. And that there are some to whom my voice, image and column are like nails on a blackboard.

I'm like that with some media commentators too. I can barely contain my fury as I rush to change channels before another piece of ill-informed hate speak gets carried through the airwaves.

I don't mind criticism. How could I possibly? Which is just as well, because people who give their feedback, through letters to the editor and communications to me, don't hold back. The 'c' word gets flung about liberally and my sexuality, sexual appetite and appearance are fair game to frothing, furious, albeit barely literate, respondents. But when someone purports to be me and posts truly offensive (and badly written) diatribes online, that's quite another matter.

Especially when they use Sophie Elliott as a means to their twisted little end.

Some craven piece of cyber slime has tried to pass off his or her vicious opinion as mine, even going so far as to associate their user name, a very close approximation of mine, with NewstalkZB. A couple of people saw it for the troll it was; others genuinely thought that the comments were mine.

I don't mind being held accountable for my own opinions, no matter how offensive or objectionable they might be to others. But to have some loser try to get oxygen by using my name, and worse, using Sophie, is the reason why I regard some web users with absolute contempt.

The right to freedom of speech doesn't give you the right to hide behind a pseudonym and carry out a personal hate campaign.

The shrill champions of free speech on the internet always, always forget about the responsibility that such a right conveys.

Find your own voice and stop hiding behind my skirts.

* www.kerrewoodham.com