YOURE BANNED! (oh hang on can you help us??)
29 March 2011 by Scunny Independent News
Over recent weeks the Evenuing Telegraphy have banned several Visit Scunthorpe readers from their site for breaching your site rules and posting links to articles on Visit Scunthorpe.
We are of the opinion that the articles on Visit Scunthorpe in each and every case enhanced the ET articles and expanded on their content.
In may of these cases our independently written, community based news service, published articles prior to the ET for one simple reason, the content is contributed directly by members of the public.
Visit Scunthorpe is a free, none commercial resource which carries no advertising or sponsorship.
Any political group or institution is encouraged to submit content, all of which is published in accordance with our simple guidelines.
Earlier today the Evening Telegraph approached VisitScunthorpe.Com with a request to assist them with a new article:
We will gladly assist the Evening Telegraph when ever we can, and have in the past (for example, last year with the election coverage). However this indiscriminate banning must end. It is inevitable that positive links will be posted about Visit Scunthorpe on the ET web site, just as negative ones are which have attacked the content and nature of Visit Scunthorpe.
We've never complained about the negative press we receive as we consider its a basic premiss of free speech. We also realise that by posting news publicly we do raise our heads above the proverbial parapet and its inevitable that people will take pot shots at us.
this is not a problem, human nature shows that its so much easier to go through life commenting on others than to stand up and do something creative your self. We accept this too, and it is indeed one of the core reasons why VisitScunthorpe.Com was first developed.
What we do object to however is the banning of members of the community from their own local paper's web site for the trivial misdemeanour's of posting links to Visit Scunthorpe, and ask that this practice ends. Further insult is added to this injury when our members are then asked to assist with the provision of news.
Once this practice ends and bans are revoked, then there will, once again, be full cooperation between Visit Scunthorpe and the ET at their request.
We look forward to that day, as we believe that we do have a lot we can share, and that VisitScunthorpe readers and contributors play a valuable part in our small on line community, the ethos of which is to share.
We will gladly assist the Evening Telegraph when ever we can, and have in the past (for example, last year with the election coverage). However this indiscriminate banning must end. It is inevitable that positive links will be posted about Visit Scunthorpe on the ET web site, just as negative ones are which have attacked the content and nature of Visit Scunthorpe.
We've never complained about the negative press we receive as we consider its a basic premiss of free speech. We also realise that by posting news publicly we do raise our heads above the proverbial parapet and its inevitable that people will take pot shots at us.
this is not a problem, human nature shows that its so much easier to go through life commenting on others than to stand up and do something creative your self. We accept this too, and it is indeed one of the core reasons why VisitScunthorpe.Com was first developed.
What we do object to however is the banning of members of the community from their own local paper's web site for the trivial misdemeanour's of posting links to Visit Scunthorpe, and ask that this practice ends. Further insult is added to this injury when our members are then asked to assist with the provision of news.
Once this practice ends and bans are revoked, then there will, once again, be full cooperation between Visit Scunthorpe and the ET at their request.
We look forward to that day, as we believe that we do have a lot we can share, and that VisitScunthorpe readers and contributors play a valuable part in our small on line community, the ethos of which is to share. If you would like add your own news article to Visit Scunthorpe, Login or sign up, its free and easy and you can start publishing your own content here, straight away.
Comments
You are as in the dark as I am m8.
From what I understand, the ET have a policy on external linking to other sites, and if these bans have occurred as a result of a breach of this policy then all well and good.
However, the way in which this policy is applied is very inconsistent, some posts with links to Visit Scunthorpe remain, others are removed, and some posters are banned from making further comments on ET Artciles, while others are not.
What really takes the cake however is how they can ban posters, and then ask them to provide content and contribute to ET articles which is what happened yesterday.
Most confusing.
Where is this policy advertised? I too have been banned in the last 7-10 days and (no offence) I haven't posted any links to VS!
Did you end up helping them by the way?
Hi Glad,
It's on the posting form it's self near the top called house rules.
Goes without saying that I'll not be helping them at all until they unban me
Have they responded to these complaints ?
Yes,
They responded by deleting my post off their Facebook group ;)
Other than that, no, no further / other response
Update!
The Evening Telegraph have been in touch with me directly, and the issue is the fact that posters have provided links. This is in breach of their policy and is what has led to the removal of posts and subsequent banning of individuals from their posting platform.
I have a meeting with their editor on Monday morning where we will be discussing this in more detail, so credit goes to the ET for wanting to address the issue.
In the mean time could any poster's who have been banned please email your login details for This Is Scunthorpe (user name and email address please) to Editors@VisitScunthorpe.Com so I can provide a list at the meeting?
Secondly, I'd suggest to any one else reading this that the refrain from posting direct links to the Visit Scunthorpe web site, I'll provide a more comprehensive set of guidelines / notes following the meeting.
In the interests of promoting and improving all our basic and democratic freedoms and, to hopefully avoid any charge of bias, inconsistency or hypocrisy.
If only there were those equally prepared to meet with certain of Scunthorpe's leftist bloggers and to try and influence them to equally lift their bans to posts on their political blogs?! We all and they know who they are.
And thereby allow those far less parochially minded North Lincolnshire residents, of whatever political persuasion or indeed of independant mind, a democratic voice to challenge our elected community representatives. And allow us to exercise justified efforts to flush out the actual facts, truth and motives behind their astute and perceived constant and timely tactics of party political driven manipulations, misinformation and hype!?
Surely such wider efforts and influence would improve the image, standing and reputation of Scunthorpe's and North Lincolnshire's politics and standards of local government?!
Not following you here Bill. Does this mean you were banned from the ET web site too?
To be perfectly clear, on a personal note I couldn't care less what the political preferences of poster's are, providing that the posting rules are followed by all posters when publishing stories.
When the ET contacted me and made me the offer of a meeting to discuss this issue, I felt it appropriate to attend and a good use of my time.
We have in the past enjoyed a good working relationship with the ET, however since certain reporter's left last year, those contacts have not been replaced.
This may (I hope) provide an opportunity to re-forge those links.
In the interests of promoting and improving all our basic and democratic freedoms and, to hopefully avoid any charge of bias, inconsistency or hypocrisy.
If only there were those equally prepared to meet with certain of Scunthorpe's leftist bloggers and to try and influence them to equally lift their bans to posts on their political blogs?! We all and they know who they are.
And thereby allow those far less parochially minded North Lincolnshire residents, of whatever political persuasion or indeed of independant mind, a democratic voice to challenge our elected community representatives. And allow us to exercise justified efforts to flush out the actual facts, truth and motives behind their astute and perceived constant and timely tactics of party political driven manipulations, misinformation and hype!?
Surely such wider efforts and influence would improve the image, standing and reputation of Scunthorpe's and North Lincolnshire's politics and standards of local government?!
Hi Bill,
Thanks for your input. Thought I'd just take this opportunity to remind users why I started this site up in the first place.
Primarily they where:
1 To report regional news in an independent manner, positively reflecting the area in a style which is in keeping with the socio-political context of the town.
2 To provide a facility by which other people with links to the region could publish their own thoughts views ideas etc.
With regards to moderation, I've always insisted that Informed discussion is always welcomed, but that the site not be used as a platform for any form of hate politics or the victimisation of groups or individuals.
You see the thing I've always felt is that if you run a web site you are at liberty to make up the rules as to how moderation is carried out and how far a user can / should go before they get a ban.
Paul, In respect of the perceived contradiction arising from the final point to your penultimate paragraph and, my own experiences and observations.
What a pity that others, including certain local political bloggers, cannot follow the supposed example and standards being set by your VS forum.
Indeed, it has to be a travesty that the parochial culture and tactics, within certain sectors of North Lincolnshire's political and community governance, aren't as sincere and consistent with your own political ideals of fairness and inclusivity.
It is unfortunate and regrettable that certain of North Lincolnshire's inept and discredited councillors and their cronies (and the system that seemingly defends, harbors and condones such standards of conduct) do and will continue to reap what they sow!
Is it John Prescott?
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