At least 50% of my posts disappear here - if you write something positive about Donald Trump or suggest Kellie Leitch raises an important question or question a barbaric religious practice -  it is going to get two quick red clicks from every Liberal on here - and then it's gone.  I wouldn't suggest for a minute those of us that are more right-leaning are any better.
Ultimately you have a story that prior to this system would have had 300+ posts and lots of  interesting argument that now might get 30 - few of which are worth reading.
I do suspect you are right though and some writers are smashing the delete button on their own story comments - almost positive Saunders does it - but can't be sure and I don't think that is common.
What I am sure of is that whatever good intentions the Globe had the end result is not flattering them.