This forum is for non aviation related topics, political debate, random thoughts, and everything else that just doesn't seem to fit in the normal forums. ALL FORUM RULES STILL APPLY.
I very much like your idea of using an "address system". I think you are quite right that perceived anonymity sometimes results in folks forgetting that they are talking to real people, with their own fancies and foibles.
As you stated, the moderators can only do so much. It is about self-control. Since it is pretty much a given that some users will always lack self-control, I can only reiterate what I said in the thread linked by Sidebar in the opening post:
If any user has concerns about a particular post or thread, feel free to PM a mod or make a report (the exclamation point at the bottom of the post). A moderator will then examine your concern and, if deemed advisable, edit the post or pull the thread for review by “the team”. Sometimes we don’t see what you see until it is pointed out. Sometimes the only mod who has had a chance to review a thread does not feel they have enough knowledge of a particular issue to make a call. We are human, as well as being mods
It isn't about being "thought police", as some might suggest. For the most part we allow users to think/say what they want. But a modicum of decorum is requested - and recognition that abusing that decorum can result in banning and/or problems (like legal threats) for the website owners/administrators.
Perhaps some should keep in mind, when posting controversial thoughts, that an Ontario Court Judge did order the owners of FreeDominion.ca to reveal the email and IP addresses of some "outspoken" users. The same could happen here.
Widow wrote:Perhaps some should keep in mind, when posting controversial thoughts, that an Ontario Court Judge did order the owners of FreeDominion.ca to reveal the email and IP addresses of some "outspoken" users. The same could happen here.
Stay safe,
Kirsten S.
"outspoken users"?
Try HATE speech (homophobic, anti-semitic, etc). Not "personal attacks". Not a difference of opinion.
Perhaps you have not been here long enough to be aware that this site has seen it's share of hate speech too (homophobic, anti-semetic, etc.). Of course, FreeDominion.ca is much more permissive in terms of it's "free speech" policies than we are. Such posts usually get deleted quickly by our mod team.
In addition, users here will say things about particular companies (in some cases they may in fact be "whistleblowing", whereas in others it is more like "disgruntled employee syndrome"). These kinds of posts have resulted in legal threats against the Forum, demands for IP addresses and user information. These types of threads will often be the subject of intense review by the mod team, and sometimes disappear completely.
If the FreeDominion.ca case is seen as precendent setting, it may, in fact, be very relevent, and therefore, comparable. For those interested, the ruling itself can be read here: http://www.freedominion.com.pa/images/m ... cision.pdf
Widow wrote:Perhaps some should keep in mind, when posting controversial thoughts, that an Ontario Court Judge did order the owners of FreeDominion.ca to reveal the email and IP addresses of some "outspoken" users. The same could happen here.
Stay safe,
Kirsten S.
"outspoken users"?
Try HATE speech (homophobic, anti-semitic, etc). Not "personal attacks". Not a difference of opinion.
Not even comparable.
A judge could easily enforce the same sort of ruling against Joe if libellous statements about companies or individuals were made here. The ruling was made because Canada has hate speech laws, but that isn't the only limit imposed on Canada's freedom of speech. Widow's example is very relevant and appropriate, even if those it would affect aren't comparable. Respect the anonymity of others on this site, but don't assume that it will protect you regardless of what you say.
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no sig because apparently quoting people in context is offensive to them.
Widow wrote:Perhaps some should keep in mind, when posting controversial thoughts, that an Ontario Court Judge did order the owners of FreeDominion.ca to reveal the email and IP addresses of some "outspoken" users. The same could happen here.
Stay safe,
Kirsten S.
"outspoken users"?
Try HATE speech (homophobic, anti-semitic, etc). Not "personal attacks". Not a difference of opinion.
Not even comparable.
A judge could easily enforce the same sort of ruling against Joe if libellous statements about companies or individuals were made here. The ruling was made because Canada has hate speech laws, but that isn't the only limit imposed on Canada's freedom of speech. Widow's example is very relevant and appropriate, even if those it would affect aren't comparable. Respect the anonymity of others on this site, but don't assume that it will protect you regardless of what you say.
I would certainly advise against libellous statements against companies in ANY medium. they have deep pockets. Proving libel against an individual is very difficult, and next to impossible when directed at a handle in an anonymous forum.
Hate speech laws are significantly different than civil litigation laws, and the process is night and day. Cases tried by HRC's run by an entirely different set of rules and guidelines.
If you can show me one case where and idividual's identity was forced by order of the court to be revealed toanother individual for reasons other than what would constitute "hate speech", I'd be very interested to know it, because I've yet to come across such case.
Otherwise, i stand by my original point that the chance of any court ordering an IP address and identity being revealed based on posting an opinion (no matter how strong), or even a "personal attack" is zero to none.
YHZChick wrote:
I would certainly advise against libellous statements against companies in ANY medium. they have deep pockets. Proving libel against an individual is very difficult, and next to impossible when directed at a handle in an anonymous forum.
Hate speech laws are significantly different than civil litigation laws, and the process is night and day. Cases tried by HRC's run by an entirely different set of rules and guidelines.
Much as I hate to argue with you YHZChick , I think you are missing the point that this was NOT a hate speech criminal case, but a civil case.
As noted in the Judgement:
[42] Accordingly, the paramount obligation in this matter is to follow the disclosure rules in the Rules of Civil Procedure.
A ruling of this nature - on a civil case yet unproven, could well translate into similar decisions - nothing to do with "hate speech".
If you can show me one case where and idividual's identity was forced by order of the court to be revealed toanother individual for reasons other than what would constitute "hate speech", I'd be very interested to know it, because I've yet to come across such case
Vaquero Energy v. Weir seems relevant. It doesn't seem as if Stockhouse was forced to cooperate by court order, but I wouldn't count on the admins here to put their feet to the fire over the idiotic behaviour of a couple users and wait for a court order either.
Interestingly, the fact that the posting were anonymous *INCREASED* the damages awarded in the case.
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no sig because apparently quoting people in context is offensive to them.
This particular statement in the judgment should be noted carefully:
[18] As well, Internet publication is world-wide and instantaneous. In an article in The Lawyers’ Weekly, Vol. 19, No. 15, August 27, 1999, Roger D. McConchie, commenting on a decision of the British Columbia Supreme Court in Southam Inc. v. Chelebis, 1998] B.C.J. No. 848 (appeal dismissed, [2000] B.C.J. No. 314), said:
With its global reach, capacity for instantaneous re-publication in limitless numbers, and permanent accessibility in electronic databases, Internet libel might do irrevocable damage to a business reputation before it comes to the attention of its targets.
I do in fact know one open aviation forum where using full real names is mandatory and anyone found out using an alias is immediately banned. Trouble is, it´s in my birth country and mostly in the local language so it´s not of much use to anyone here... Anyway, over 5000 active members, over 700000 posts on over 51000 topics since 2002 and actually founded by an active Airbus pilot. Works pretty well with real names as finding out someone´s credentials is pretty easy. Lots of pros as members, including 747/767/MD-11 skippers, ATCOs and even people from the local CAA and air accident investigation. They just don´t comment on company affairs or secrets.
