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HEIDI DESCH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 9 years, 10 months AGO
by HEIDI DESCH
DEPUTY EDITOR, FEATURES Heidi Desch is the Deputy Editor at the Daily Inter Lake, overseeing coverage of arts, culture, lifestyle, community, and business. Desch leads reporters in developing stories that highlight the people, traditions, and events shaping Northwest Montana, guiding content across print and digital platforms. With more than 20 years of journalism experience, including serving as managing editor of the Whitefish Pilot, Desch is a graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism. She has received multiple Montana Newspaper Association awards, including part of the team leading the Daily Inter Lake to Best Daily Newspaper in Montana Award and the General Excellence Award in 2024 and 2025. IMPACT: Heidi’s work connects readers with stories that deepen the understanding of the community beyond daily news. | December 21, 2016 10:25 AM

The Whitefish Convention and Visitors Bureau had sent out a list of guidelines to Whitefish businesses about dealing with a neo-Nazi internet trolling campaign.

Some businesses have reported aggressive phone calls and false online reviews as a result of the campaign.

The guidelines give a list of tips for dealing with negative reviews”

• Don’t engage with the comment.

• Flag inappropriate content (typically next to the review, there is a flag or thumbs down button). Contact Google, Yelp. Trip Advisor, or other review sites as necessary.

• Create social media requests for customers to review your business.

• If you feel a response is necessary, do so with a simple truthful response, such as: “This comment is fake and is meant to stir up controversy, see other reviews for a complete view of our business.” Then leave it be.

The guidelines also gives talking points about dealing with the news media.

The suggestions, include statements like “everyone is welcome in Whitefish,” and “Whitefish has always been known for its hospitality.”

It points to the city ordinance that supports the inclusiveness and diversity of the community.

“We do not want to be aligned with extreme ideology and discrimination,” the notice states. “On the contrary, Whitefish is a friendly, hospitable and welcoming community.”

It advises that business owners who don’t want to talk to the media, to defer to the Whitefish Convention and Visitor Bureau spokeswoman Lisa Jones, at [email protected].

The Whitefish Chamber of Commerce also sent out the same set of advice to its members.

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