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

Leaving tasteless anonymous comments online is offensive,cowardly and effectively has no consequence.
Delete comments that are tasteless and put one thread only for condolences etc.

Remember when angry mobs harassed/attacked a paediatrician because they thought paediatrics was connected to paedophilia?That is the level of understanding and sense of these posters.

Don't delete.

Limit the number of threads. Or start one on which MJ slating is not allowed and ban any more.

As several people have pointed out, it's not compulsory to read threads you personally dislike. People may have very strong feelings about it, given that he was so high-profile and caused a massive fuss, and those feelings might go either way.

I agree that it can be distasteful, but free speech is more important than that.

This forum is by its nature unmoderated, that is why many of us are here.

Go down the path of moderating and you change that irrevocably, because every time a controversial figure or event happens, you going to get threads and comments that may be offensive to some, but not to others, others may in fact agree.

Thin edge of the wedge.

I agree that finding a comment distasteful does not mean it should be censored.

Yet I also believe in making a stand against things I believe to be ofensive. It can be braver to draw a line and say 'this is not what we are about'.

I have nothing useful to say about how these two can co-exist.

don't delete. just put them all in one place please.

One thread and don't delete.

Then let posters themselves take a stand! Others will chime in that they agree and still others will disagree.

free speech involves expressing opinions not gratuitous tastelessness,violence and obscenity.

Delete the libellous (sp?) ones but these things will crop up for days now.

I am choosing to ignore the threads (this is the 1st i looked at since logging in) because i know MN can be a bugger for throwing shit at a fan at times like this.

I think one thread would be a good idea.

I am for free speech, no matter how distasteful some may find it.

I would suggest a MJ Tribute thread, in which fans can discuss his music and a seperate discussion thread in which anything within the parameters of normal MN tolerance is allowed. And a clear understanding that anything controversial on the tribute thread will be deleted.

I find them distasteful but think they should stay. I find it hard to believe that anyone on MN could get personally upset by them.

One thread.
No jokes - especially ones about child abuse.

'free speech involves expressing opinions not gratuitous tastelessness,violence and obscenity. '

What you consider gratuitous tastlessness others don't.

Legally, even the definition of obscenity changes with tim.

People push the boundaries of this with their opinions.

That is the nature of debate and change.

That is, in essence, free speech.

So long as you are not personally attacking another poster, libellous or inciting violence, it's free speech.

Have no opinion on MJ much at all and can't say I really care one way or the other, but do care much about how people are allowed to express themselves on this board.

I agree that the comments should be allowed to stay.

Have a tribute thread free from jokes etc, and a dicussion thread where people can say what they like.

I find it disgusting that people can post such offensive things about someone who has died. It doesn't matter who he was, he had a family who loved him, 3 children.

Delete them or at least Private message posters and warn them to behave.

BoF - I think the question would still stand about the moderation for the tribute thread.

Good point expat (re taking a stand within a thread) - I suppose the question is should the towers do this in a 'majority rules' type way. To which we all say no I am sure.

Won't be doing it myself as have no strong feelings on MJ.

'Delete them or at least Private message posters and warn them to behave. '

That's how most forums work, and it's what makes this forum different.

I do believe in free speech and expression but giving people the space to express meaningless offensive tripe is not necessary.

then this forum is insenstive

Well, if I owned/ran the board I wouldn't want them (comments) on here, but that's me. Some are very out of order though.