Moderators, moderating and censorship.

Sandy Morton

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Moderators, moderating and censorship.

« on: April 04, 2009, 03:17:38 PM »

Started since I feel that this whole subject is worthy of debate.

The Kinross posting has caused a great deal of debate about whether it should have been allowed or not. I personally sat on the fence since although I could see problems with it I could see no great harm. The world lives on rumour and speculation.

Anther which come to mind and which I find much more offensive is the speculation about junior teams. Do we know that these were all discussed at team level or did some of the players who were no longer wanted find out about it on this Forum? If so a great deal of hurt could be caused.

The next one and one upon which an encyclopedia has be written is the Vernon affair and the second volume has yet to be written and published.

Let's hope for an open and healthy debate on this one and the get back onto one of my favourite topics - with proper names where possible (I know that this is not possible for some people).


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JohnMinnaar

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Re: Moderators, moderating and censorship.

« Reply #1 on: April 04, 2009, 03:36:02 PM »

Okay, let's start at the essence of the forum, which is to allow discussion. Therefore it has to allow information. Not all the information will be accurate, but there are more than enough people out there to correct whoever gets it wrong.

This forum is, in my view, one of the best I've ever followed. This is not down to me, or Sandy, or OTB, it is down to the members who contribute. I don't agree with all of them, but that's what forums are all about. These members make the forum and provide it with the essence of what it becomes: respected, or dismissed. Post something new or controversial and watch the "users online" bit -- the numbers Zooooooom up! I suggest that this forum is respected, not dismissed. It is respected because it is self-censored by the members, who behave within the limits and give us moderators very little to do. No-one minds the occasional poster that strays too far, it is soon dealt with either by the members or -- as a last resort -- by a moderator.

The Kinross posting was unique in many ways, but as Sandy says, the junior teams can be very surprising and often offensive. Whatever the posts are, we check them often and if we spot a problem we'll deal with it. But we're human and sometimes have to go to the loo, we can't spot them all just like that. If there is a problem we've missed, let us know. Phone us. Email us. Tell us. The bottom line is that the members have to moderate themselves into what works for the forum, or we have to do it for them.

May I suggest something for the future: if any member wishes to post something that is seriously controversial, put your real name under it. If you cannot do that, email the post to a moderator who will -- if agreed with the contents -- post it on your behalf. Your identity will remain private, but at least we will know where it comes from. Does that make sense?


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Full Booner

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Re: Moderators, moderating and censorship.

« Reply #2 on: April 04, 2009, 07:52:16 PM »

I'm disappointed the post by R.I.T was taken down. Censorship of posts which are not abusive is a potentially damaging route to follow for the Forum.

I saw the post and the immediate responses by ACS and jjk, the opinion I immediately formed was that R.I.T's speculation was unfounded and wrong, based on the vigorous responses - isn't that the Forum working at it's best ??

I've recently disagreed with a number of members but I never suggested that their post's be taken down, it was mine and their right to argue the point out. I disagreed with them and they disagreed with me, fair game I'd say !

On the point of affecting a business, as G83F eloquently put, yes the original post could have been potentially damaging, but any member continuing to read the thread thereafter would be able to see the post for what it really was - mendacious for the reason of someone of with an axe to grind maybe - but didn't the other members knock it back sharply and with some style ?!

Re Junior teams - it's constant gossip in that world and I can't imagine that the Forum says anything new that the rumour circuit hasn't thrown up already outwith it.


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JohnMinnaar

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Re: Moderators, moderating and censorship.

« Reply #3 on: April 04, 2009, 09:26:34 PM »

isn't that the Forum working at it's best ??

Thank you, it says it all.


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jjk

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Re: Moderators, moderating and censorship.

« Reply #4 on: April 05, 2009, 12:37:49 AM »

I take on board all the points made made about censorship which I oppose vigorously... and i really hope DA continues to post.
BUT...... with freedom of speech comes responsibilities. I visit a number of sporting forums.... tennis, soccer, american football and a few others. There is no doubt this forum is the best i visit in terms of quaity of posts. RIT was out of order... it is not right to come on with gossip about things which can have a serious economic impact on individuals or on organisations... with a very tenuous link to curling. Speculating on curling line ups next year is IMO fair game but a mile removed from what we are deliberating here.
Lets keep it to curling !


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JohnMinnaar

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Re: Moderators, moderating and censorship.

« Reply #5 on: November 03, 2010, 06:25:10 AM »

3 November 2010

Several posts have been removed by me this morning, with the support of moderators, webmaster and others who value the game of curling. In future, be warned, if I believe a post is harmful to this forum, other members of this forum or the game of curling in general, I will do so again.

In short, if you want to play the fool for the sake of it, please go and do it somewhere else.


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