Moderation and website technical issues

[SocialistPunk]

Hi pfbcarlisleThanks for getting back to me. I appreciate your taking the time to answer my enquiries.I was hoping you would be willing to clarify something from what you have said. You say you were not involved in OGW's first report. Could you explain how the Int Dept goes about investigating complaints? Who and how many etc?

[Anonymous]

Hi SP,I don't mind answering here, although I'm not going to (re)visit the specifics of any complaint. Some of these matters are still ongoing and have obviously taken up a considerable amount of time for all concerned.As far as I know, until last November the Internet Department had never received any complaints regarding the forum. There have been at least half a dozen since, including appeals against suspensions or warnings, and queries about moderator actions or non-actions. There are six members of the Dept. at present, and each has joined for different reasons, with varying areas of interest. Ironically, I joined with a grim determination to never get involved with any issues of forum moderation… When a complaint gets received, somebody will acknowledge its receipt. They may then retire and wait to see who is able/willing to pick it up. Once someone volunteers for it, that person gets on with investigating it and reporting on it to the rest of us, when we are asked to comment. It proceeds by increments. The appeals are primarily dealt with by a member who isn't also a forum moderator – they are certainly consulted, but it's properly left to others to be the chief producer of a report.So just to clarify with regard to OGW's 1st appeal, I will have noted the Dept. report and commented at some point, but the chief author does the bulk of the work – otherwise, it would get duplicated. For the 2nd appeal, I think I was the first in the Dept to make a comment on it, so I just took it from there. According to the nature of the appeal or query, some items will require more attention than others. If enough members are ok with a report / decision, then it gets sent out. Sometimes as has happened recently there will be delays in reporting back due to absences and other commitments.It follows from all this that not every one in the Dept would answer an appeal or query in the same way. There will be compromise to produce a consensus. Clearly, the issues of forum moderation and the appeals process are very much 'live' ones; not just on here, but in other forums (fora?) and the usual channels of the Party's organisation. I have no particular axe to grind on what will work best.

[SocialistPunk]

Hi pfbcarlisleThanks once again for taking the time to answer me. I know I keep saying it but I greatly appreciate your input.For me it has helped highlight a potential problem, that I will post on the relevant thread in this section.Thanks.

[SocialistPunk]

Hi AdminI notice OGW is down on this section of the site as the last poster for two threads, but his post does not appear?Has he had posts deleted again?

[SocialistPunk]

Now I see! OGW's post has now appeared from another dimension.A dimension known as a moderation queue. A strange parallel dimension where a person posts a comment on a forum and it does not appear until it's contents have been checked and deemed OK by a moderator. Who can tell when it could appear, or even if it will at all.Welcome to the strange world of the phenomena known as the moderation queue.It would have been nice for the forum members to have been informed that such moderation methods are to to used. It raises the question of what gets you put in a moderation queue? As Admin previously talked of it's use to avoid suspensions. Unless of course such a method has not been used and I am imagining it?

[SocialistPunk]

Hi AdminPerhaps my attempt at humour to raise a valid issue was not to your taste. I apologise. However a serious question regarding the use of what appears to be a moderation queue to vet a certain members contributions is still relevant to all who use this forum.a) If a moderation queue is being operated on this forum, will it be used to replace whatever system of moderation is being used at present? In other words will it replace suspensions?b) And if it is to be the method of moderation used, what is the criteria that is being used to place any one in a moderation queue? Or how many rule breaches before being put into the queue?c) How long is a person to remain in a moderation queue? 

[DJP]

Hi SP,The answer to all 3 is "it depends on the circumstances" though if a member thinks they are being treated unfairly they have the right to lodge an appeal as detailed here:http://www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/forum-rules-and-guidelines

[Anonymous]

DJP wrote:

Hi SP,The answer to all 3 is "it depends on the circumstances" though if a member thinks they are being treated unfairly they have the right to lodge an appeal as detailed here:http://www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/forum-rules-and-guidelines

So, if we dont like what you do we can appeal to…………………………………………………………you.

[SocialistPunk]

Hi DJP That answer is so vague as to be meaningless. So as a member of this forum I am non the wiser as to whether or not a moderation queue system is in operation, and again have no idea as to what the criteria is to be?I don't think my questions were particularly difficult. So it would be nice to get a straight answer. Please.

[Anonymous]

DJP wrote:

Hi SP,The answer to all 3 is "it depends on the circumstances" though if a member thinks they are being treated unfairly they have the right to lodge an appeal as detailed here:http://www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/forum-rules-and-guidelines

 And we can appeal to ……………………………………………………………you

[Anonymous]

SocialistPunk wrote:

 It would seem that the forum is left in the same position as before this mess started. The use of disciplinary measures in an ad hoc fashion to control the forum. We are not informed as to what is being used, and how it is being used.We have seen warnings, unspecified length suspensions, deletion and retrospective removal of posts and now a moderation queue!?If a member has been suspended, has served their "time", it now looks as though their punishment is not over as they can be put on parole and have their posts vetted for suitable content.If this forum is to be run like a parole service, I think members have a right to be informed.Instead of a simple system of warnings etc, that would allow people to know where they stand, it seems as though an arsenal of control tactics are being implemented. This forum is starting to resembling a war zone, with moderators on one side of the barricade and members on the other.I never thought in my wildest dreams I would ever see such undemocratic, unnecessary, authoritarian behaviour emanating from a part of the WSM. Very sad indeed. 

 Indeed! And we may NOT question their intentions. 

[SocialistPunk]

SocialistPunk wrote:

a) If a moderation queue is being operated on this forum, will it be used to replace whatever system of moderation is being used at present? In other words will it replace suspensions?b) And if it is to be the method of moderation used, what is the criteria that is being used to place any one in a moderation queue? Or how many rule breaches before being put into the queue?c) How long is a person to remain in a moderation queue?

DJP wrote:

Hi SP,The answer to all 3 is "it depends on the circumstances" though if a member thinks they are being treated unfairly they have the right to lodge an appeal as detailed here:http://www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/forum-rules-and-guidelines

It would seem that the forum is left in the same position as before this mess started. The use of disciplinary measures in an ad hoc fashion to control the forum. We are not informed as to what is being used, and how it is being used.We have seen warnings, unspecified length suspensions, deletion and retrospective removal of posts and now a moderation queue!?If a member has been suspended, has served their "time", it now looks as though their punishment is not over as they can be put on parole and have their posts vetted for acceptable content.If this forum is to be run like a parole service, I think members have a right to be informed.Instead of a simple system of warnings etc, that would allow people to know where they stand, it seems as though an arsenal of control tactics are being implemented. This forum is starting to resembling a war zone, with moderators on one side of the barricade and members on the other.I never thought in my wildest dreams I would ever see such undemocratic, unnecessary, authoritarian behaviour emanating from a part of the WSM. Very sad indeed. 

[SocialistPunk]

Hi AdminI was wondering about moderation warnings on this site. Would you be able to inform the forum as to how long a warning stays active?Thanks.

[Brian]

SocialistPunk wrote:

Hi AdminI was wondering about moderation warnings on this site. Would you be able to inform the forum as to how long a warning stays active?Thanks.

You are not the only one who has asked admin for an answer to this particular question.  Although several days have passed since I sent the PM I'm still waiting for a response.

[DJP]

SocialistPunk wrote:

Hi AdminI was wondering about moderation warnings on this site. Would you be able to inform the forum as to how long a warning stays active?Thanks.

It depends on what seems reasonable given the unique circumstances concerning each post. Though certain offences may be deemed worthy of an instant suspension or moderation.With regards to moderation queues, users who have been placed on this stay there until they have demonstrated a change in posting behaviour.If users think they are being treated unfairly, the Executive Committee has authorized an appeals process outlined in the webforum rules. If the moderators really do have a systemic bias, as has been alleged, then the normal appeals process is certain to discover and remedy this after the first couple iterations.

[Author]

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