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

[hunkermunker]

MN Towers, if you'd prefer it if this was deleted, please do so.

But I'm nosy. And I want to know. Please?

(I didn't swear in this, though I was tempted to...childish or what?!)

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?

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...........

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.

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.

LOL at Charles Dickens!

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

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

Thought not

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.

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

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.

Don't suppose anyone who owns a leading bookselling emporium is also a MNer?

Thought not.

Does GF do book signings?

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?

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

Martian, you can email me on wickedwaterwitch at google mail dot com

But am offline v shortly! It's late, I'm tired.

martian - are you martianbishop?

WWW - honestly, I wouldn't feel too worried if I were you.

FACT: Lawyers like to write stroppy letters to put the wind up people.

FACT: Very few libel matters ever come to court. Libel cases carry a huge reputational risk for the claimant in anything other than the clearest imaginable circumstances.

I honestly can't imagine what a claim by gF would say. "A bunch of parents disaparged my methods and there was a bit of swearing. I am therefore libelled and my reputation ruined. Obviously I joined in on at least one occasion and they did publish an apology, retract threads and put out guidelines on what to say about me, but I will not rest until I get a large financial settlement".

Sigh. The thing I find saddest about this is that I always liked GF and actually her books gave me a huge amount of help when I really needed it. I thought her sleeping pattern advice particularly was good (could take or leave the advice about ironing down tags on baby-gro's, but there you go) and both my DCs are what I wuld call "Gina-lite" babies. The thing that has lowered her reputation with me is her approach to this, not anything anyone has said on here.

There is a journo on here I am sure from years ago - can whoever you are not make this into a huge story so the world gets to see what is happening - we could even ask her for her side of the astory so as not to seem biased.

Anchovy- I was of the impression that libel cases don't often get to court, because they settle beforehand. Do you know what sort of figures are involved in those settlements? (I have no idea, but am genuinely interested).

As a previous GF devotee and someone who has always defended her and her methods in the past I am very very disapointed in this.

It is making me totally reconsider my opinions.

JNM, I don't think you'll be the only one.

I am not Martian

"Whatever happened to free speech? We are a parenting website - we have to be able to discuss things relating the UK's best-selling childcare guru, surely? We think that's a thing worth fighting for."

As usual Justine, you sum it up so well. If I can help PR wise I'd be more than happy to (not that I think you'd need it).

MoistVonLipWig

Blimey, have just caught up..

Am really disappointed at the latest twist. Very very sad and angry on MN's behalf. I feel like emailing her and asking her what she hopes to achieve.