Michael Jackson moderation

[RachelMumsnet]

Hi there
As you can imagine we've had a few complaints this morning about some of the comments and allegations made against MJ. Our policy normally is not to delete posts on the grounds of distaste as what is distasteful to one is another person's idea of humour, however in this situation, given that someone has just died, we're finding it hard to just leave things. So we thought we'd ask you. Do you think comments such as 'I hope he burns' and the onslaught of MJ jokes should be deleted or left in the name of free speech? Let us know your thoughts.
Thanks
MNHQ

[Fimbo]

I don't really care who says what, all I want is one thread on the subject.

[ninedragons]

Leave them. Let's not get into hagiography just yet.

[JamesAndTheGiantBanana]

Free speech - it's only what people are saying offline anyway.

[kittywise]

I think they should be deleted. I'm all for free speech, but I don't want to come here and read such pap.

Someone has died and comments like those turn my stomach.

[Katisha]

I dont think you can delete it. Dangerous precedent and all that.
People can always hide thread. I have.

[UndertheBoredwalk]

Agree, don't really care what's said about him, but should all be in one place and not taking over the boards.
Tbh not sure you can start deleting all 'distasteful' comments, opinions of him being what they are and varying so wildly. I think you'd be spending the next god knows how long deleting!

[stillstanding]

I do find some of the posts rather distasteful (and in some cases offensive) but he was a controversial figure and I don't believe in glossing over the facts just because someone has died.

On balance I think such comments should be left in the name of free speech - and on the basis that it says more about the particular posters than anyone else.

[CherryChoc]

I think we should just have one thread people can choose to hide or not read if they are not interested.

[PortAndLemon]

I agree with Fimbo -- except maybe two threads ("MJ - talk about the music" and "MJ - non-music discussion"). Then people can participate/hide threads as they wish.

[UndertheBoredwalk]

Agree with James too, opinions on here however distasteful are just what people are saying in RL, would be odd if it wasn't here too.

[treedelivery]

Tricky.

He was never found guilty was he?

His children are left behind, whatever our thoughts they are unlikely to be feeling glad this morning.

I also agree with free speech and the way Mumsnet supports this.

I do agree one thread. Or a topic that vanishes once this is 'old news'.

So on that useless note I will leave it to yourselves to decide.

[Hassled]

I think they're offensive in the extreme, but I don't think they should be deleted. There's something along the lines of "I disagree with everything you've said, but I'll fight for your right to say it" (what IS that quote?).

[Bleatblurt]

I think don't delete the comments.
But one thread would be great.

[SammyK]

I have chosen not to read the threads, would be good to only have one thread, I don't think things should be deleted, but left in conversation as they are.

[OhBling]

Free speech means it should probably stay. But can we limit it to ONE thread? I've been ignoring a LOT of threads today so far.

[sfxmum]

no censorship please might disagree or find distasteful but just leave it be

[expatinscotland]

Don't delete.

It's no worse here and anywhere else on teh net.

I mean, have you seen the Facebook groups?!

In the spirit of an open forum, leave 'em.

[Hassled]

Here we go:

"I disagree strongly with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
Voltaire

I might go as far as death, though.

[hocuspontas]

I think there should be at least one thread where people can discuss his music and contribution without a raft of distasteful comments. Perhaps you could delete the posts from that thread only?

[Hassled]

might not

[ByThePowerOfGreyskull]

I find it distasteful - agree that there shoud be one thread so I can delete it.

[ILikeToMoveItMoveIt]

Just one thread would be a good idea. I don't agree with censoring the posts.

[GetOrfMoiLand]

Lulumama had a good idea somewhere on one of the threads to have a slag off MJ thread where anything goes, and a music discussion thread. I think that would be far better than 856 different threads on the subject.

I would leave what has been posted already to stand. Opinions are pretty polarised about MJ.

[expatinscotland]

Rachel, we've seen this all before, though, MMC, Jade Goody, etc.

The one thread is a good idea, but people need to understand the nature of this forum is that just because one person or even several find a comment distasteful doesn't mean it should be censored.