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PR Newswire
23-02-2012, 09:52 AM
A few opinions and suggestions for consideration/discussion:
1. A forum rule for all members to include a standard statement in their signature "The above posting are purely of my own and does not represent the position of the forum or any other individual and am solely accountable for my actions on this forum, blah blah blah. Please contact me directly should you find my remark controversial." This way, the onus is not on the forum owner and moderators. Mods can simply leave the comments there for the members to self edit/delete. There would also be externalisation of self moderation. Members are less prone to be irresponsible in their online actions. Mods then need only ensure that all members have that standard signature and hide all their posts until the signature is shown.
2. Even if the details of the letter cannot be shared, let's have a post to at least inform members of the company that issued the lawyer's letter, and which member's post on which topic was in question. Let us members then evaluate the post vs the actions of the company. We may even perhaps contact the investor relations of the company to seek clarification.
3. Close the forum to the public i.e. only members who are logged in are able to view posts. This will limit the "damage" done by defamatory posts, reduce likelihood of catching company attention, etc. When a lawyer's letter is received, we know then it is from within the member circle.
4. Put in disclaimer to protect the forum owner and state the onus on the members themselves. State that the forum moderators will not take action until the lawyers have contacted the members themselves. Moderators will however assist to contact the member via sending email to the member's registered email and PM.
5. Instead of deleting the posts, hide the posts or move them to another forum area that is open only to moderators.
1. A forum rule for all members to include a standard statement in their signature "The above posting are purely of my own and does not represent the position of the forum or any other individual and am solely accountable for my actions on this forum, blah blah blah. Please contact me directly should you find my remark controversial." This way, the onus is not on the forum owner and moderators. Mods can simply leave the comments there for the members to self edit/delete. There would also be externalisation of self moderation. Members are less prone to be irresponsible in their online actions. Mods then need only ensure that all members have that standard signature and hide all their posts until the signature is shown.
2. Even if the details of the letter cannot be shared, let's have a post to at least inform members of the company that issued the lawyer's letter, and which member's post on which topic was in question. Let us members then evaluate the post vs the actions of the company. We may even perhaps contact the investor relations of the company to seek clarification.
3. Close the forum to the public i.e. only members who are logged in are able to view posts. This will limit the "damage" done by defamatory posts, reduce likelihood of catching company attention, etc. When a lawyer's letter is received, we know then it is from within the member circle.
4. Put in disclaimer to protect the forum owner and state the onus on the members themselves. State that the forum moderators will not take action until the lawyers have contacted the members themselves. Moderators will however assist to contact the member via sending email to the member's registered email and PM.
5. Instead of deleting the posts, hide the posts or move them to another forum area that is open only to moderators.