The Forum: Moderation, Insults And Abuse.

[JoeCovenant]

It has been noticed by Admin and Mods that there seems to be a creeping increase in casual abuse in the forum. Things that don't mean too much in isolation but which, when viewed as a whole are bringing the forum down.

Please remember that this forum is intended to be a place where any and all Dark Blues can gather to engage, in discussion or debate of; serious topics, comedic content, wild rumours and solid facts.

This means people of all ages should be able to come here and not feel in any way concerned about reading posts.

Beyond that, there are also outside influences which can curtail not only posters but the existence of the forum itself. Posts which, in the past, may have simply been viewed as 'flaming' have now become enshrined in law as possible offences. And the law can hit the owners of such forums for hosting viewpoints which it might see as 'unlawful'.

As an example: 
Recently Liam Kennedy has come under fire for reporting/posting things a majority of posters have found to be demeaning or self-aggrandising. Now, disagreeing with LK is quite within your rights as a poster. what is not, is if those comments turn into personal insults.

You may disagree with LK or his style of 'journalism', but it is one thing to question his stance or output, and quite another to use some of the terminologies we have seen flying around in here in recent weeks.

There is also, unfortunately, a trend occurring where perfectly valid posts are made, but for whatever reason the poster also feels the need to add insulting or provocative remarks against anyone who does not share their point of view.

As a mild example, something along the lines of:

"Greg Stewart is the best player to ever wear a Dark Blue Jersey. No doubt some chunts will say he's not."

(I'm sure you all have some experience of seeing this type of post.)

The problem for the Forum Staff are what to do with these posts.

It has been decided that where possible posts which contain valid points (or even invalid points) which also contain some insult/swipe, will be edited. In this fashion, using the example above, the last line would be removed and the rest of the post remain.

When such posts are edited - in the same way as when posts are hidden - a comment will be entered by the staff member making such an edit explaining why it was done. (The original poster will always be able to see their edit comment or the reason for a hidden post - either above the post (in the case of it being hidden) or below the post (in the case of it being edited)).

Should any poster have a problem with their posts being edited or hidden then they are more than welcome to report this and such reports will always be taken under consideration.

As an aside, please be aware that quoting a *hidden* post (before it was moderated) will also result in the 'quoting post' being moderated also.

Finally - please note:
Discussing moderation in the open forum will always lead to such posts being hidden. It has always been a rule that the forum will not host open discussion on moderation - this has not changed. Again, if you have any problem with anything relating to these guidelines, please make a report regarding them.