Ford Fairlane
Moderator
- Feb 21, 2002
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- Port Adelaide Magpies
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- #1
Seeing as the genie has been let out of the bottle, it is time to let Port Board posters know that all three board moderators are concerned with the level of abuse being directed lately at various sections of the club.
As posted elsewhere, this is not about suppressing criticism or critical discussion - this is encouraged as much as possible. These are discussion boards and we want to see that, especially when it involves evidence-based discussion offering new and varied perspectives. We are not about wanting threads only of sweetness and light. But the level of abuse of late directed at players we purport to support is not acceptable.
The relentless hit-and-run sniping and ugly abuse of players with no actual critical discussion of their game is a blight to both Port supporters and moderators. Variations on 'Westhoff is a stick-insect', 'Ebert is a midget tall', 'Pearce is a front-runner', etc etc, as if these comments in and of themselves constitute some sort of meaningful discussion. And that's the kinder stuff, let alone the player X is sh*t or f**k off player Y or coach Z rubbish that has been posted. This sort of comment does nobody any justice.
I could post examples of the type of outright abusive comment referred to above, but that's just embarrassing for the posters, the players and the Board itself (even if the comments were deidentified re poster and player/board/coach). Suffice to say, some of those comments I wouldn't make about a mad dog, let alone another person, or worse still a footballer at the club I support.
Bear in mind, players may read these comments, as well as relatives, friends, acquaintances of players. What sort of message do we want to send to those people? As I've stressed critical discussion is fine, praise doesn't go astray either, and we understand the frustration and passion of footy.
But remember you are talking about people too, and I would say with some confidence that if comments like this had been made to players in the past, some would've received very short shrift. Also the internet is not the equivalent of discussion between friends at a bar or coffee shop. These comments are out there in the public arena for anyone to see.
For your own protection, you might want to consider this recent court case:
At the risk of being labelled a grumpy old man, I would advise you to think about what you post in the future. As I wrote, critical discussion is fine, but hit-and-run sledging is not, especially abusive stuff, and it will be dealt with harshly from now on.
The Port Board mods allow a fair degree of leeway when it comes to self-regulation on this board by Port posters, and we have been known to come down hard on outsiders who cross the line. Let's try and stay behind that line as best we can too.
I'll leave this thread open for now for comment or query, although if you're planning to ask where the line is drawn, that's up to your moral compass when making a judgement. Every case will be dealt with on individual merits.
As posted elsewhere, this is not about suppressing criticism or critical discussion - this is encouraged as much as possible. These are discussion boards and we want to see that, especially when it involves evidence-based discussion offering new and varied perspectives. We are not about wanting threads only of sweetness and light. But the level of abuse of late directed at players we purport to support is not acceptable.
The relentless hit-and-run sniping and ugly abuse of players with no actual critical discussion of their game is a blight to both Port supporters and moderators. Variations on 'Westhoff is a stick-insect', 'Ebert is a midget tall', 'Pearce is a front-runner', etc etc, as if these comments in and of themselves constitute some sort of meaningful discussion. And that's the kinder stuff, let alone the player X is sh*t or f**k off player Y or coach Z rubbish that has been posted. This sort of comment does nobody any justice.
I could post examples of the type of outright abusive comment referred to above, but that's just embarrassing for the posters, the players and the Board itself (even if the comments were deidentified re poster and player/board/coach). Suffice to say, some of those comments I wouldn't make about a mad dog, let alone another person, or worse still a footballer at the club I support.
Bear in mind, players may read these comments, as well as relatives, friends, acquaintances of players. What sort of message do we want to send to those people? As I've stressed critical discussion is fine, praise doesn't go astray either, and we understand the frustration and passion of footy.
But remember you are talking about people too, and I would say with some confidence that if comments like this had been made to players in the past, some would've received very short shrift. Also the internet is not the equivalent of discussion between friends at a bar or coffee shop. These comments are out there in the public arena for anyone to see.
For your own protection, you might want to consider this recent court case:
Vogue model Liskula Cohen's court win on skank gibe August 20, 2009
Article from: The Australian
link
A VOGUE cover girl has won a precedent-setting court battle to unmask an anonymous blogger who called her a skank on the internet.
In a case with potentially far-reaching repercussions, Liskula Cohen sought the identity of the blogger who maligned her on the Skanks in NYC blog, so she could sue him or her for defamation.
A Manhattan Supreme Court judge ruled that she was entitled to the information and ordered Google, which hosted the offending blog, to turn it over.
link
At the risk of being labelled a grumpy old man, I would advise you to think about what you post in the future. As I wrote, critical discussion is fine, but hit-and-run sledging is not, especially abusive stuff, and it will be dealt with harshly from now on.
The Port Board mods allow a fair degree of leeway when it comes to self-regulation on this board by Port posters, and we have been known to come down hard on outsiders who cross the line. Let's try and stay behind that line as best we can too.
I'll leave this thread open for now for comment or query, although if you're planning to ask where the line is drawn, that's up to your moral compass when making a judgement. Every case will be dealt with on individual merits.