In the digital age, managing one's online presence has become increasingly important. The Southeast Missourian has implemented a delisting policy to address this need, allowing individuals to request the removal of certain crime stories from search engine accessibility after six years. This article aims to explain the story delisting request form and its implications for those seeking to manage their digital footprint.

Overview of the Delisting Policy

The Southeast Missourian’s delisting policy allows for the removal of daily crime reports and staff-written crime stories about misdemeanors from search engine accessibility after six years. The stories will remain online and searchable on semissourian.com but will not be easily accessible through search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Bing. This policy applies only to stories where felony charges were reduced to misdemeanors at the time of sentencing. Stories involving felony convictions will not be delisted.

The rationale behind this policy is to balance public interest with individual privacy. While the newspaper retains the right to archive articles and police reports, the delisting policy aims to mitigate the long-term impact of minor offenses on individuals' digital reputations.

Steps to Submit a Delisting Request

To submit a delisting request, the requestor must provide specific information and documents:

• URL links to the story or stories in which they are named.
• Evidence that the crime was a misdemeanor at the time of sentencing, if not mentioned in the story.
• Driver’s license identification or another acceptable form of ID.

The process involves the following steps:

1. Identify the stories for delisting and gather the necessary evidence.

2. Submit the request along with the required documents.

3. The Southeast Missourian will verify the information and review the request.

Verification includes checking the provided evidence and ensuring that all crimes mentioned in the story were reduced to misdemeanors. If the request meets the criteria, the story will be delisted from search engines.

Editorial Discretion and Exceptions

The Southeast Missourian retains editorial control to make exceptions to the delisting policy. Factors influencing the decision to approve or deny a request may include the nature of the crime, public interest, and other relevant considerations. In cases where felony charges were not reduced to misdemeanors, the newspaper may add an editor’s note to clarify the requestor’s reduced charges.

Delisting affects the public record by making the information less accessible through search engines. However, the stories will still be available on semissourian.com and through newspaper archives, ensuring that the public record remains intact.

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The Southeast Missourian’s delisting policy provides a means for individuals to manage their digital footprint while balancing public interest and privacy. By understanding the delisting request form and process, individuals can take steps to mitigate the long-term impact of minor offenses on their online presence. Those affected are encouraged to review their digital presence and consider submitting a delisting request if applicable.