Censorship on this board

[stephenite]

Why do you think you are entitled to an explantion for this? That's where my mind boggles - it's not some free speech for all when you log on here, so what makes you so special?

[ardasell]

It is though, a discussion board, and I am not demanding an explaination from a moderator, i am throwing open the issue of censorship on this board.  The circular arguments you make have worn me down

I should not however have used this particular instance to raise the issue, it is keeping it alive, and that is not my intention.

This is not a board for free speech - kow tow to the moderator, Message received. I will revert to lurking until I learn to behave as you do, say as you do, do as you do.

And they gave out about the regime in China!!!

[stephenite]

Broadly similair to the majority of Internet discussion boards where Mods and Admins have to keep a tight reign on content in order to stop lawsuits etc. There was a fantastic GAA website called sheepstealers that went down the drain exactly because of this - the mod didn't have the time to stay online 24x7 and eventaully closed it down after numerous solicitor letters etc.
An Fear Rua would operate a broadly similar policy to hear (ie) it's his website and he'll decide what is published.

Just saying it's not that unreasonable for those in charge to act in this way, happens everywhere else that I know of.

[J70]

Help, help, I'm being repressed!

[ardasell]

Yes you are - but as long as you are happy, sure isn't it handier than thinking for yourself.

[Puckoon]

In my ever so humble opinion - the initial thread starter was asking a genuine question, and meant no ill offence. What has to be realised here is that this was not so much an offensive thread, as a naive and poorly thought out thread. In this instance the moderators are well within their rights to pull the thread. What if a family member reads the site and asked that it be removed? Surely they are entitled to that without having to listen to a tirade of censorship?

There are unwritten rules in the world of debate, especially when people post under assumed aliases. Some things (unsubstantiated rumours) shouldnt be whirlwinded about at the best of times, but especially not in the worst of times. That said however - there were the beginnings of the whispers of the passing of another great Ulster manager a few posts or pages before it was confirmed. In neither case was it particularly useful as we have a relatively reliable media to bear such bad news - our only role should be a few decent words and the passing of some sympathy.

Like others have said - it wasnt a thread that should have been started, there are other avenues of information gathering available - for instance the PM feature.


Regarding your posts ardasell - expect this thread to be pulled pretty swiftly also. You'll probably be banned as in this thread there were a number of personal insults thrown - mostly by yourself. A little more perspective in your new house and a little less "things will be done my way or ill raise merry hell" might suit you better.

[his holiness nb]

Ardasell, you sound positively angry about this. The mods created the site, its their site, we are invited on. They set the rules, if we dont like it, we dont have to stick around.

No need to insult everyone who doesnt agree with you.

[brokencrossbar1]

As has been said this board is set up and maintained by the mods and therefore they have the right to have a certain level of control over what is on it.

In regards to the specific thread, ardashell is right the rumour was running the country and people genuinely wanted the question asked.  I was contacted by a member of the family who asked me to see if I could have the thread pulled as they were very upset about everything that was running round and wanted to limit it as much as possible.  Once I posted the details of his flight to Spain that was the end of it and it had to be locked.  I wouldn't say this was a case of censorship, more a case of respecting peoples' private lives.

[corn02]

As has been said this board is set up and maintained by the mods and therefore they have the right to have a certain level of control over what is on it.

In regards to the specific thread, ardashell is right the rumour was running the country and people genuinely wanted the question asked.  I was contacted by a member of the family who asked me to see if I could have the thread pulled as they were very upset about everything that was running round and wanted to limit it as much as possible.  Once I posted the details of his flight to Spain that was the end of it and it had to be locked.  I wouldn't say this was a case of censorship, more a case of respecting peoples' private lives.

Spot on.

[Gaaboardmod3]

Hi lads,

Just to clarify on this. I agree that the original poster, nashville, was not being malicious as such, however he was being very naive at best, and such rumours would obviously be distressing for a family friend or member to read, especially when Joe was incommunicado at the time.

I was in a meeting and was contacted by BC1, who is obviously close to the situation, asking me to remove the posts in the thread, as he had been contacted directly by the family. Obviously in that situation the rights of the family, and deference to their wishes, is the most important thing, and I would hope people can understand that. He also contacted me later, asking me to post the clarification.

In relation to this general area, I would just ask people to use their cop on, and to bear in mind that this is a small country, naturally disposed towards gossip and chatter. It is very, very likely (as demonstrated yesterday) that the subject, or close relatives, of things like this will see or hear about posts like that.

I would urge people not to, however unwittingly, use the board to spread rumours like that. Obviously we have some well connected people on the board, but I would suggest PM is a better vehicle for things like that.

Once again, this is not about censorship, or about chastising individual posters. I'm simply asking the board in general to bear in mind that the gaaboard is not an island, cut off from real life. Real people read these posts. Sometimes this has legal connotations, and there is a rule about this, but other times, like yesterday, it has a human, and humane, aspect. All I'm asking for is a little consideration for the subject of your post, and their family and friends.

No warnings were handed out yesterday. And ardashell, I understand you might be annoyed, but I hope this explains my opinion and actions, and you understand this is nothing to do with censorship or rules, per se. However, what is related to rules is personal abuse, which there is no need for, so please edit your previous posts and I will let them slide as a special case.

[ardasell]

Thanks for a measured response, I wish I had been as considered in the middle of the night.

The fact that clarification was posted of a horrible rumour, and this information could then be dissimenated back to its purveyors to dispel these rumours, was, I thought, one of the most valuable usages of this forum I had ever seen.  

As has been said, real emotions were at play, and I thought the thread helped to allay real real fears. That was the thrust of my at times rash postings

Once again I understand that if I don't like it, go somewhere else, but sure that is a handy rebuttal.

All this crap aside, if the family wanted posts pulled - pull the post.nuff said.  No offence meant.  

[Gaaboardmod3]

Fair enough. Now can you edit those abusive posts you made earlier on. No need for them.

Thanks

[ardasell]

Done