Complaint about a zombie post of mine

[Chefwifelife]

I had an email from MN report team today to inform me that a post of mine from June 2019 has been reported as possible libel for defamation.

I’ve read the post several times and stand by the post as honest. I’ve informed MN that I don’t want the post deleted.

I can see today that several of the posts by other members on the thread have been deleted.

I was intrigued if there were similar posts on Mumsnet so Googled this company and found that a few days ago there quite an unpleasant exchange on Trust Pilot with a customer who had left a negative review about them.

AIBU to stand by my original (ancient) post or should I just be done with it and delete it? I don’t want to feel bullied into removing an honest post asking for others experiences.

Has anyone been in this situation?

FYI MN have been great throughout.

[FredaFrogspawn]

If it’s an old post, you may as well have it deleted. No one is likely to return to it and it may make life easier for Mumsnet crew.

[lifesalongsong]

Looking at what you posted it seems fair and balanced to me, you posted about how it was resolved.

I think it's a slippery slope if businesses who doesn't like what's posted on here can ask for deletions, as a consumer I value honest reviews, I''d be pretty pissed off if a reputable website was removing anything negative but fair.

In fact now I've seen this thread I won't buy from them because they asked for the deletion not because you had an annoying experience.

Barbra Streisand effect in practice

[RaspberryToupee]

I’ve stumbled on some zombie threads when I’ve been googling things. Even if the post is old, the discussion is (usually) still relevant and useful.

I don’t believe in companies silencing someone because they don’t like what was written. If you wrote an honest review, it might be old but that was the point at that time. A company that keeps the old reviews up and says “OK, we messed up here but we’ve worked hard to fix this” is a lot more trustworthy than one who threatens legal action to anyone who dares say something negative about them. Although, I’m not sure what they can actually do to you legally and if you find yourself in court over a little MN post, then it’s not worth it. Even if you’re being silenced.

[Stannisbaratheonsboxofmatches]

I thought libel and defamation were different things? One written and one spoken (can never remember which way around)?

[lifesalongsong]

@Stannisbaratheonsboxofmatches

I thought libel and defamation were different things? One written and one spoken (can never remember which way around)?

Libel is written , same Latin root as library i.e. to do with books which might help you remember

[TheSpottedZebra]

Well I've advance searched and if it's what I presume it is - that is ridiculous! They contacted MN to complain?

Surely that would kill MN stone dead if we have to only post nice things? If we could not say - for example- this mascara smudged, or I thought these jeggings were expensive and not really worth it?

[Chefwifelife]

@Stannisbaratheonsboxofmatches (great username!). This is what came in the email:

“a complaint of possible libel about your post on this thread“

The reasons why s/he considered it to be defamatory are:

[lifesalongsong]

[quote Chefwifelife]@Stannisbaratheonsboxofmatches (great username!). This is what came in the email:

“a complaint of possible libel about your post on this thread“

The reasons why s/he considered it to be defamatory are:[/quote]
And what are the reasons?

[lifesalongsong]

@Stannisbaratheonsboxofmatches

I thought libel and defamation were different things? One written and one spoken (can never remember which way around)?

Posted too soon, you can defame in speech or print, the one you are confusing is slander

[StonersPotPalace]

I wanna see the post now

[lifesalongsong]

@StonersPotPalace

I wanna see the post now

Just search for the OPs posts in June 19, it's simple to find

[Stannisbaratheonsboxofmatches]

Ah yes, slander! That’s the other one!

Thanks for all the answers!

[user1573957284738]

That post isn't libellous

[FallenSky]

This happened to me a few years back, but with a school! I think I agreed to it being deleted even though I stood by what I said (which, incidentally, was how it was weird how many comments about said school had been deleted!). It just wasn't worth the possible headache. The stubborn part of me felt like saying "see you in court!" though!

[RednaxelasLunch]

That's insane

[TicketToTheWrongFilm]

That thread’s got whiskers on it! Some of the comments

[HoneysuckIejasmine]

Do you still have your correspondence with them?

[FizzyGreenWater]

How stupid of them!

There's nothing wrong with your post - not libellous at all - you described your experience. You thought the goods were poor quality - that's your opinion, it's called a review!

Several people on the thread also disagreed with you and said they'd had good experiences.

However, I just also googled them... and, I don't know if it's because I'd just visited the thread but your post is the second hit OP. Maybe that's it - they don't want your complaint to be right up there!

Still daft though - I'd never even heard of them and now I've got a VERY negative impression of them. Because whichever way you slice it, your post is fine.

Definitely refuse to take it down.

[MNnicknameforCVthreads]

Definitely Barbara Streisand effect!

[ladycarlotta]

Is it the bell tent thread?

[underneaththeash]

Defamation - has to clearly be untrue and you've posted the contents and commented on their suitability - what a horrible company.

[PurpleDaisies]

This happened to me. I wanted to stand my ground but mumsnet deleted the thread.

[TheSpottedZebra]

YES Ticket ! There are certainly quite a few fake posts on there. donnalovemykids for example posted just on a couple of threads, over 35 mins and then... nothing.

Come on, MNHQ, surely you're better than this?

[WombatStewForTea]

Is it a coincidence that when I search OPs posts to find it I get an error page every single time

[JaaniGoGo]

@FizzyGreenWater

How stupid of them!

There's nothing wrong with your post - not libellous at all - you described your experience. You thought the goods were poor quality - that's your opinion, it's called a review!

Several people on the thread also disagreed with you and said they'd had good experiences.

However, I just also googled them... and, I don't know if it's because I'd just visited the thread but your post is the second hit OP. Maybe that's it - they don't want your complaint to be right up there!

Still daft though - I'd never even heard of them and now I've got a VERY negative impression of them. Because whichever way you slice it, your post is fine.

Definitely refuse to take it down.

100% this