That’s fine with plenty here, if it curbs the excesses of the known elements. They can find another online playground to be “Gripper” & “Imelda” within.lol if there was any moderation there'd be little left
That’s fine with plenty here, if it curbs the excesses of the known elements. They can find another online playground to be “Gripper” & “Imelda” within.lol if there was any moderation there'd be little left
Censorship is censorship. The site administration can’t claim to operate a free speech platform when it has consistently failed to provide one.
I am aware of 3 instances (1 my own) in the last few days were challenges to racist and homophobic replies to the 'known suspects' weren't published.
I have used this site as an Anon for 17 years or so. I have no interest in becoming a registered user. I pop in, get some info, and generally pop back out again. This changed last summer with the overwhelming influx of racial and homophobic abuse posted by registered users: one who should be well known to most who retains the same user name and two others who have re-registered under ‘new’ user names.
Several users (registered and anon) requested changes to the site rules and offered a number of possible solutions. Davidt moved this discussion to a specific thread and then subsequently dismissed all of the possible solutions provided. His generalised response being: if you don’t like it. leave. Seemingly unaware that non-racists and supporters of LGBT rights leaving wouldn’t deal with the racism and homophobia that was and is rank within his site.
I agree that “Maybe with the new site format, there's a change to moderation also. I think it's a good step, but it needs to be balanced, fair, and most importantly, consistent.” But if previous experience is anything to go by this will not occur.
I would also add that some of the registered user posts don't do the site any good whatsoever, or show it in a good light and that most of the racist and homophobic comments stem from approx. 3 to 4 registered users.
Banning anonymous posters would mean, I believe, the demise of the site.
On writing this there is a total of 291 people using the site:
261 guests
30 members (13 of whom are using the site anonymously i.e. not being tracked)
I just don’t understand that when concerns are raised the response from Solo is to stick its head in the sand? Time and time again issues are raised either directly with Davidt, in generalised threads or in specific threads and time and time again nothing changes; racism and homophobia prevail.
Most of the consistent antagonism on the site is provoked by less than a handful of people (registered users) surely that can be dealt with? I’m not all suggesting that anonymous users are free from blame, far from it, but the racist and homophobic rhetoric is largely from registered users.
Well said.And I find it upsetting that a site dedicated to a gay pop star (albeit one still closeted) allows so much homo/transphobic remarks to be posted and unchallenged. Perhaps the reason for this is that Morrissey’s reticence to come out is the excuse they use to attack those not ashamed of their own sexuality. More than plenty of these comments still remain.
As previously said on this thread, admin are far too cowardly to face down the main culprits. This results in those new to the world of Moz to feel alienated, whilst long-term old-school fans feel reluctance to post, fearing abuse from the known elements. The less said about them, the better.
Some of the permitted 'anon' posts don't do the site any good whatsoever, or show it in a good light. Maybe it's a steady work in progress. I'd personally ban anons from posting, & have everyone who wants to comment create an account.
Be careful Mozmar. This ground has been trod so many, many times here a path has been worn that ultimately leads to nowhere. Here is David T's thoughts on the subject from the General Posting Policy tab of the site:
"Basically some reasons I like and allow anonymous posting:
The only thing I find to reach a level of blocking would be personal attacks, and those posts are made my registered and non-registered users alike. They add nothing to the discussion, but every other post holds some value in that it gives one something to consider or to reinforce one's own opinion.
- some users may have something to contribute but are put off by creating a login, especially if they don't use the site often.
- some users don't want to be associated with an account. Also, given the recent negativity towards the site from Morrissey himself, some contributors may prefer to post anonymously. These are just words on a post, usually it doesn't really matter if 'anonymous' or 'supermozfan' wrote it. The only thing needed for an account is an email address and if it's not obvious, it's pretty easy for people to create an email address without giving any personal information.
- anonymous people are sometimes the best and most challenging contributors."
These are, after all, simply words on an electronic page and nothing more. It is up to you as to how much and to what extent you let them impact you.
These are, after all, simply words on an electronic page and nothing more. It is up to you as to how much and to what extent you let them impact you.
Do you mean address it in a specific thread, have all the comments dismissed and begin again? That seems to be the routine and one you're more than aware of.Perhaps some of the thought energy being expended here to guess at what happens behind the scenes and ascribe cowardice, where there is none, would be better spent in thinking: 'is there anywhere more appropriate I could be making this type of point other than a gig thread?'
Regards,
FWD.
Perhaps some of the thought energy being expended here to guess at what happens behind the scenes and ascribe cowardice, where there is none, would be better spent in thinking: 'is there anywhere more appropriate I could be making this type of point other than a gig thread?'
Regards,
FWD.
I'd also add that the censorship took place in this thread and it's therefore relevant to this thread. And ... my comments are not based on guesswork they are based on active censorship that I am aware of - whatever the reason for that censorship is immaterial as this is allegedly a free speech platform.
There have been many redundant anonymous personal attacks removed from this thread. If you feel you are being censored why don't you simply create an account?
Ask yourself if anything in your post may have violated the posting policy here:
General Posting Policy
www.morrissey-solo.com
I still come to this site, but very rarely post here these days, when you get systematically trolled almost immediately. It doesn't matter what you type, certain individuals troll at will. I guess grinding down others is the only power in life they must have, in the absence of nothing else. I see one post directly addressed to me recently was deleted. Thanks. I've seen no other posts by them since. I guess they like to "troll and run," as they get big jollies that way.There have been many redundant anonymous personal attacks unrelated to the topic (Leeds concert) removed from this thread. If you feel you are being censored why don't you simply create an account?
Ask yourself if anything in your post may have violated the posting policy here:
General Posting Policy
www.morrissey-solo.com
My last comment for today (work y'know) ...You might also like to consider: if you're a banned user trying to circumvent your ban by posting anonymously, then don't be surprised if your posts are removed.
But that wouldn't be you would it... ?
FWD.
I guess that you refer to: "In general, an anonymous post is not approved if it is off-topic, redundant, or personally abusive." but my point is that the most significant amount of racism and homophobia comes from your registered users for whom you have no such policy. They can post whatever they like and some of them do. On one hand you state free speech as your argument and on the other you state anonymous users will be penalised but registered users who are off-topic, redundant, or personally abusive will not be penalised.
You offer anonymous access to your site and that access shouldn't mean that I as an anonymous user can be abused by registered users - that's currently how your general posting policy works . I think it better you ban anonymous users from your site rather than, as things stand, allow registered users to abuse others without compunction.
As had often been discussed the general posting policy does not work and hasn't been updated since 2011.
There is a good deal to be proud of about this site and it's longevity but moderation has never, in my experience, been one of them. Yes, I'm frustarted. When I pop in for a little bit of news about Morrissey, I'd really rather not see some of the repulsive comments that have appeared over the last few days or indeed the last few years. I just don't believe these types of comments have a place in a fan site - it's like watching a on-street brawl and I'd much rather not.
One possible solution (not sure of the IT practicalities):
Keywords
if a user posts something with certain keywords it is pinged to either a Bin folder or Politics folder.
This doesn't deal with the existence of the hatred but it lessens it's visibilty and may discourage those that posts such nonsense from posting such nonsense in the future.
You'll have copies of both policies would you care to publish both and walk us through the changes made and clarify how those changes answer the points in the previous post?I tend to dismiss those that suggest banning anonymous posts by those that post... anonymously. It is incorrect to state the policy hasn't been updated since 2011, it has been updated as recently as after the recent site upgrade a couple weeks ago.
You'll have copies of both policies would you care to publish both and walk us through the changes made and clarify how those changes answer the points in the previous post?
Your own post indicates the contempt in which you hold anonymous users and that's been most illuminating "I tend to dismiss those that suggest banning anonymous posts by those that post... anonymously."
'You' were not directly replied to.My last comment for today (work y'know) ...
I am not nor have I ever been a registered user. I have not been banned and I have not attempted to circumvent anything but thanks for the uncalled for character assaination.
No... You're pretty demanding for a person posting anonymously.