Moderation of the community

Marianne_BCNA

Hi all, given recent posts I think it is important as a moderator and manager of the online network that I make comment about the disrespect that has been evident on the network lately and the role of the BCNA moderators. We are always mindful that this is your community and as such we want you to self moderate as much as possible and only step in when necessary. It has become more necessary of late however to step in more and as such it has been difficult to strike a balance between allowing self expression and ensuring our community is a safe and supportive place for all members. We are getting mixed feedback at present from members for removing posts and not removing posts so I think it is important that I clarify how we will manage the moderating of posts moving forward. We will continue to remove any posts that we deem disrespectful, abusive or offensive towards others and will private message the relevant person to advise them of what we have removed and why. This is regardless of whether they have swearing in them or not as posts can be just as abusive or disrespectful without foul language. 
In regards to the use of language, most of you have stated that you are comfortable with language. Additionally, when we consulted a group of members last year about managing language on the network, the consenses was to leave the moderating to the community and only step in if needed. However, there are still a large number of people on the network who aren’t comfortable with language and their views are just as important. I am also concerned that the level of language is being talked about outside the community and may impact on new members joining at a time when they most need support. We will therefore also more carefully moderate language that is deemed to be gratuitously offensive as per the guidelines.  
We also ask that every member takes responsibility for self-moderating their own posts ie asking yourself if your post is disrespectful towards another member or likely to cause offence before posting. This will assist us in getting what is primarily a wonderful community for those impacted by breast cancer back on track. We need to protect and nurture this vibrant community as it is such an important part of so many peoples’ lives. I therefore ask for all your assistance with this. We may not always get it right with moderating as we are trying to accommodate so many different views so please let us know if we miss posts and be understanding if we remove a post of yours and you don’t agree. We are always happy to discuss this.
Thank you for you cooperation.

Zoffiel

As I've said to you, @Marianne_BCNA , I wouldn't have your job for quids.

Striking a balance between what it acceptable for one group and unacceptable for another is not easy and the fluid nature of our society makes that task even more difficult.

I was part of a working group years ago that helped BCNA set the scene for the online forum. It was a brave step that involved devoting considerable resources to providing a service that was not available elsewhere. The internet was not the animal that it is now and to BCNA's credit you have done a brilliant job of managing an uncertain environment.

Unfortunately, being offended has become an international sport. Trying to accommodate every claim of offense will, effectively, close down any open discussion. Yes, we need to be mindful of other peoples sensitivities, but we all have choices. If you don't like something, particularly when it involves the way people express themselves, don't participate.  Don't engage with them. Enjoy other things that suit you better and there is no shortage of that here.

Personally, I find the idea conforming to societal norms that belong to the 1950s  both frustrating and insulting. I see the world as a much more vivid and interesting place than it was when my mother was a young woman, but If that is what is required to participate because there is general consensus that's fine, we can all make up our minds about what level of engagement suits us in the future.

I'm the first to admit that I can sometimes step across the line. Part of being a  grown up is owning that but there is no one size fits all solution to the current dilemma. I find suggestions that swearing can be managed by abbreviating the bits that someone may find offensive utterly baffling. If you know what I am saying, why does the inclusion/exclusion of one vowel and one consonant make any difference? That is in no way an attack on those who have made the suggestions. It's just me being dense.

The way this presents in the public forums lately must be very confusing for those new to the site. Thankfully, the over all community is incredibly supportive and it would be good to see the focus move back to helping those in need. Marg

onemargie

Well said as always @zoffiel. Margie.  Xx

traveltext

I agree with the basic sentiments @zoffiel has expressed above. I'm not on this forum so often because there are few men here and because I think more often than not women want to talk amongst themselves. My forum of choice for the past four years has been breastcancer.org (BCO), the US site. I landed there because I wanted information on IBC and then stayed to get support and support others, both women and men. I am pretty much the only man posting there (192,000 members) and I look to reassure and/or advise the occasional man (often a young man) who thinks they have breast cancer. 

As to censoring posts, this is unheard of on the BCO site. Mods are very absent and only come on if they feel a newbie isn't getting questions answered. There have been plenty of grumblings from the forum regulars about plans to revamp a site that has been around for 14 years. This, I'm sure, the mods here can relate to. Site owners and site users are always going to have a conflict of ideas and interests.

In any case, I've always found members here very supportive of the few guys that venture here and was heartened to see the discussion on changing the newsletter from Beacon to Pink Lady was mostly against such a change.

Sunshine0206

To be honest, I find all of this bizarre. I have no idea how one issue has become bigger and bigger. 


Im of the mind that if something offends me - I scrolll on. If something doesn’t interest me - I scroll on. Same as if I’m walking down the street and something doesn’t interest me - I walk on. If there’s  shop that is not my thing- I don’t go in. If I do by mistake - I walk back out. This is my method.

Peace. X

Chorsell

I confess - I have a potty mouth - Sorry - Blame it on my years in the military.  Half the time I don't even realise I am doing it, but it is used to emphasize a point not to abuse or bully someone.

so as much as I might try I won't always get it right so forgive me if I slip up...

yes i I can avoid swearing in front of my mum (she is 93) but in an online environment we are not as familiar with people's likes and dislikes so it is more difficult to know what is and isn't acceptable. 

We are all here for the same reason to support each other, we are bound by Breast Cancer - we feel each other's fears, pain and struggles as we would our own because of that unique bond. Under normal circumstances many of us would not be friends be cause we are all different.... different experiences, expectations and values.

so as much as we expect others to modify their behaviour so we don't offend, we should also be tolerant of those differences and cut people a bit of slack if they don't get it right.

Going through treatment is tough and we need each other, but we also need to recognize that pain, lack of sleep and stress can play havoc with how we respond to things - sometimes we just need to take a breath and have a break.

if we witness any abuse or poor behaviour perhaps we can be brave and respectfully call it as it is or seek support from BCNA if we feel the need.

We all have bad days so let's try, tolerance, forgiveness and patience as our first point of reference as often we don't know what else is happening in someone's life... and BC is a really shitty card to deal with.

Sister

I wouldn't be the moderator for quids @Marianne_BCNA - I don't envy you the responsibility.  If language or sentiment is not my thing I skip over it.  The only thing that I wouldn't want to see tolerated is bullying or similar.  We're all here from different backgrounds and ages for the same reason.  Let's get along.  

Beryl C.

Moderation has its benefits, for example, protecting privacy or misleading information about drugs and treatment. Censorship? No. It must be each person's responsibility to accept or reject 'language' and offense is a choice. I agree, skip over it. What offends one may mean a smile for another. We are on this discussion list because we seek information and support about serious health issues which have an insidious impact on our lives and the lives of others. I'm all for having a forum for saying it as it is for me, to vent if things are tough and I'm comfortable knowing that each post is moderated. I was surprised to read of bullying - some examples of inappropriate posts would help.

Afraser

Couldn't agree more. I haven't seen much evidence of bullying but agree it should not be tolerated. So called "bad" language? Not really a problem, but gratuitous and uncalled for rudeness, even if written in perfect grammar and a dazzling use of vocabulary, should be dealt with too. That really is bad language.

PatsyN

I'm flabbergasted by this discussion about moderation.
I've seen nothing but love and support on this forum with a good dose of humour thrown in.
I had no idea that some people's posts have been removed. I thought we could say anything? 
Swear words are used by children, just part of their vocabulary. I even want to read bad advice. Someone will step in to clarify.
And as for bullying, bring it on I say, just like bad advice.  
I hate the idea of any censorship whatsoever.

Marianne_BCNA

Hi @PatsyN, I appreciate your thoughts on moderation but as per the community guidelines, the aim of moderation is not censorship, but to ensure that the online network meets its legal responsibilities and remains a safe and friendly space for all Australians affected by breast cancer and this does require at times (fortunately rarely) for us to remove or edit posts. We will not tolerate threatening or bullying behaviour in any form. Fortunately, the community is by far a loving and supportive and definitely humorous network and with the help of all our members it will remain this way. 

PatsyN

@Beryl C.
Yeah, let's name and shame. Out them all, those rotten bullies.
I have a masters in online bully defense.
I've never needed to use those credentials on BCNA but if anyone needs assistance with how to respond to a bully then I'm ya gal. It's all done with words, lol.