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Original poster

MN hq, can we not just have a blanket ban on threads about Megan Markle?

55 replies

NoCauseRebel · 30/07/2019 14:23

I realise that people are going to say freedom of speech and all that, but the reality is that every single thread about MM descends into hate speech from about three posts in.

You wouldn’t tolerate it against a mn user, and in fact some years ago talk of Gina Ford was banned because she threatened legal action against the site. So why is it ok to direct that kind of consistent hatred at an individual who happens to be in the public eye?

Some have suggested having a particular MM topic, but that would just become a hate corner.

OP posts:
Justneedaflippingtemporaryname · 31/07/2019 18:22

I wish MM would just due/ do an injunction. Madeleine McCann's parents obviously have done and it's been successful!

BIWI · 31/07/2019 18:21

Because @IrmaFayLear, they're usually racist comments.

Justneedaflippingtemporaryname · 31/07/2019 18:20

I think the way the MM threads turn out are really upsetting. For example I read about her guest editing Vogue on here and then when I actually saw Vogue I couldn't believe the description from the MN thread was about what she had actually done. Honestly, the woman could save a drowning newborn and she'd be accused of attention-seeking or trying to prove she's human or something. I would honestly be up for a blanket ban in the same way as MN do for any Madeleine McCann threads. The way MM is treated on here really upsets me as I know it's racist.

IrmaFayLear · 31/07/2019 18:20

Sorry if I'm being "faux naive" but why is it wrong to criticise MM? I agree that hounding for silly things such as the baby blanket is crap, and obviously any racism is foul, but some observations on the Vogue issue - well, why not?

I'm sure tongues were wagging about Wallis Simpson over garden fences (old-style social media!) back in the 1930s, so - obviously excepting downright nastiness - what's the difference now?

AgentProvocateur · 31/07/2019 18:14

I’m the biggest republican here, and I agree the MM threads are disgusting (and usually racist). I’d support a blanket ban.

IrmaFayLear · 31/07/2019 18:12

But there are countless threads saying various celebrities/politicians are annoying. I don't think one person - particularly one so high profile - should get a free pass.

I think probably most people think "hmmmph" about some of the Vogue stuff (eg criticising advertising in a magazine (!?!) and the Paris fashion shows).

Making an individual - a royal individual - above any criticism seems to be harking back to the days of treason !

BIWI · 31/07/2019 18:02

I think you should adopt the 'three strikes and you're out' approach - tag a poster as OTW when they make their first racist post, and then when they make their third (the previous ones having been deleted, of course) they get banned. A bit like the way you're dealing with stuff on the feminism boards.

MNHQ
AnyaMumsnet · 31/07/2019 17:08

Hi there all,

Thanks for raising your concerns. We do very much try to avoid blanket bans on topics, and particularly with someone who is a public figure. However, we have noticed an undercurrent of dog-whistle racism on the threads, and we do regularly receive reports about it.

We're going to be experimenting with our moderation to see what helps these threads stay on track and what doesn't and as always, we'll take anything down that's not in the spirit.

We hope this goes some way to explaining our view wrt Meghan Markle threads, but do let us know if you have any questions.

Samcro · 31/07/2019 14:44

i am surprised the latest one is still standing. normally such awful goady threads about mums are zapped.

BIWI · 31/07/2019 12:16

Why don't MN just ban those who are clearly on a mission/expressing their racist views?

Along with all those who post with faux ignorance on the golliwog threads?

NuttyOrNice · 31/07/2019 00:58

MythicalBiologicalFennel
Hahaha that didn't take long... some posters here are dripping hate and no amount of denying can hide it.

One poster said MM and Harry are a ‘right pair’ and I’ve said I find MM annoying. I’m not sure I’d count that as “dripping hate”. 😂😂😂

MythicalBiologicalFennel · 30/07/2019 22:28

Hahaha that didn't take long... some posters here are dripping hate and no amount of denying can hide it. I have been on MN for about 10 years and seen a lot - but the MM hate is really really ugly.

People go on about the Feminist boards but I think the anti MM threads are the ones that show MN in the worst possible light.

BertrandRussell · 30/07/2019 22:21

“I think being a guest editor of Vogue is a perfect example of her trying to put herself in the public eye.”

Yep-because she really needed to do something to put herself in the public eye.......

trollopolis · 30/07/2019 21:59

Yeah right, because she's totes the first Royal to be a guest editor not

Prince Charles was the earliest?? (Or at least the most senior) and Duke of Sussex and Duchess of Cambs have done similar, have they not? Possibly others too

MauritiusNext · 30/07/2019 21:29

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

NuttyOrNice · 30/07/2019 21:08

heronontoast. I find plenty of people I don’t know personally annoying. I could name some of them but it’s a pretty long list. You are very lucky if you don’t find anyone that you don’t personally know annoying.

BertrandRussell. I don’t think my statement is hard to justify. 🙂 I’ve checked and I definitely find MM irritating and I think being a guest editor of Vogue is a perfect example of her trying to put herself in the public eye.

AuntieStella · 30/07/2019 19:17

Perhaps all threads about the Royal family shouid be moved to the Royal Family topic (irrespective who f where they were originally started.

That way, those (of any opinion, not just royalists) who want to chat about them can do so. But the more obvious aggression of AIBU (and increasingly 'chat') might not follow

BertrandRussell · 30/07/2019 19:16

“MM is annoying person and does things to put herself in the public profile.”
Can you begin to justify this statement?

heronontoast · 30/07/2019 19:11

'MM is annoying person and does things to put herself in the public profile'

Do you know her personally? You are illustrating the op's point successfully.

NuttyOrNice · 30/07/2019 19:05

I'm all for MNHQ moderation and I'm glad when they delete nasty posts but I think it would be odd to ban MM threads outright. MM is annoying person and does things to put herself in the public profile. I can't think I ever post about her though as I'm not interested in her.

If I worked for MNHQ I think I'd end up banning lots of posters. Anyone who was racist would be shown the door and told to never come back.

joyfullittlehippo · 30/07/2019 16:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheNightof1000Fans · 30/07/2019 15:53

It’s only really since last week that obvious Meghan-bashing threads are deleted quickly

Perhaps you are new to MN! Grin

joyfullittlehippo · 30/07/2019 15:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DeRigueurMortis · 30/07/2019 15:36

Yes I agree it's not appropriate to start threads that are quite obviously a vehicle for a pile in.

However, again I don't think you can ban people from talking about her.

It sets a dangerous precedent.

Posters here have said some pretty awful things about Boris Johnson and Donald Trump. Should threads about them also be banned?

The best course of action is to keep an eye on the threads and report inappropriate threads/posts.

Posters will eventually get the message as threads/posts are zapped that are deliberately goady/hateful.

Samcro · 30/07/2019 15:31

or just shove them in the royal topic.
please