<<whispers>> Was there ever any clarification about whether the issue with GF was swearing on here?

www, if you're still reading this thread, would you CAT me?

This is just so unfair.

Where do you draw the line between slagging her off and discussing her authority as a child expert based on circumstances in her life.

If a writer of a parenting book hasn't herself or himself raised children of her own - sureley that's relvent.

What about the manpower involved in policing the vast number of posts from confused/distressed new mums that her books create? (Is that a slanderous thing to say?). And how do you communicate all these new rules to new mumsnetters who are used to being able to talk freely about famous people?

What would she do if B3ta.com decided she was a figure of fun?

I don't actually know what is ok to say and what is not ok.

Were the criticised remarks personally offensive such as "Cod is a slut!" or were they things like "I believe a parent who follows this book will harm their child for life."?

p.s. Cod is not a slut, as far as I know.

I've been dying to do a bit of related bat artwork snafu but thought better of it!

Yes, I have to say I won't be discussing her methods either jimjams. Athough I am sure in my head what mumsnet mean by libel, I don't want to overstep the mark with all these threats flying around.

But I do see what you mean about free speech, justine.

There's no chance of having a picture of the bat pop up whenever Her Name is mentioned, is there?

Thought not

Lord that's just reminded me of an obscene chatname connected with She Who Must Not Be Disparaged.

LOL at Charles Dickens!

But freedom of speech also covers the freedom to remain silent, and like Jimjams I would not enter into any discussion of this woman or her methods.

Well I won't be discussing her because I have zero knowledge about what constitutes libel. Dh (lkeeps saying "you haven't said anything have you?" I would't have a clue.

I worked in a channel 4 chat room for teens - they had a filter- so any rude words were changed to something else, like coffee, it was an instant filter (made it difficult to talk abut Charles Dickens though) . We could have that here so if anyone did say "gina ford" or "gf" or "ginababe" then the word "tablecloth" or something could come up instead. That would meet criteria 1-4.

You go MN towers!!! WE're behind you all the way.

Ooh, they'll make a film about this in years to come you mark my words...........

Totally agree Northerner,

At the end of the day her book is very controvesial and has and will continue to be a big issue for people. It's the marmite of the parenting book world to say the very least! Mumset is place where parents debate issues and offer each other advice and they should be able to freely.

She can't own the net. And even though I feel a touch sorry for her for having her feelings hurt, I can't believe she became involved in threads on this site regarding her book. Am I the only one who thinks its a bit, well, silly of her?

"Whatever happened to free speech?"

that's what we'd all like to know!

"The Contented Little Baby Book, has sold over half a million copies since it was published in 1999 .... Some mothers love it ... Others hate it. All of which is "fine", says Ford, because we live in a democracy."

(Interview with Gina Ford, The Daily Telegraph, 29 April 2006)

This is just incredibly depressing

She has sold over half a million copies of her Contented Little Baby book.

And she wants to bleed dry a parenting site that supports thousands of mothers - WHY?

That's interesting Tamum. I wonder if she can afford to take all these sites to court. I also wonder what the effect would be of every parenting site she's threatened banning any mention of her.

I just registered on the first usable one that came up in google when I typed in "parenting forum".

They haven't cleared their boards.
(If MN ever gets coloured postings, different font sizes, avatars, tickers or bouncing icons, I am off. )

I really cannot believe this I have seen personal attacks on other sites - why just pick on Mumsnet? But I assume from what Justine says that mumsnet wouldn't be held responsible? Or have I got that wrong.

There do seem to be a lot of cleared threads on other parenting boards- I wonder if it is just MN?

WWW, I'm glad you are feeling a bit better. I felt absolutely awful for you.

I feel so sad about mumsnet being forced to police every thread - who exactly will do this, day in day out - all the hundreds of threads on the boards. Even if lots of people volunteer, how realistic is this? I will volunteer time, money or anything else I can offer.

Ages ago on another thread I asked if some type of computer programme could be adapted to automatically clean the boards of GF references - It's probably a silly idea but I will repeat it again. Is this a possibility? It would save a lot of working hours.

Another thought - assuming GF is not asking other parenting sites to follow her lawyers instructions, how does this sit legally? Does she have to show mumsnet is a special case, alone amongst parenting sits, the parents who post here are are especially personal in their attacks on GF. This is why GF lawyers have singled out mumsnet for a strong counter attack.

You see, I cannot believe that mumsnet is the only site that has contained personal criticism of Gina Ford - if her lawyers are letting those sites remain is it legal for her to ask one site to adapt?

Thanks to everyone who said kind things to me. I'm pleased that GF has confirmed she is not taking action against individual posters and I will sleep better tonight but I still feel it's a huge shame for mumsnet that this whole thing is happening.

Anyway, I'm not going to say any more on the subject, it's very sad for everyone concerned I think.

Do you know what, I'm with Rhubarb on this going public. This is a disgrace, and more people should know about it.

There are lots of famous people who get slated on the web about their methods/profession - actors, footballers, singers etc and there has never been a case like this before.

She should be shown up for what she really is, and perhaps we can get a petition of some sort showing our support for MN and the freedom of speech.