Whistleblowing

[Huguenot]

I notice the whistleblowing thread about Orca Local has disappeared.

I appreciate that this may be perceived as convenient, but for me it would mark the point when the EDF jumped the shark.

I notice they have a sponsored link.

The fact is that anyone who makes up fake IDs is a confidence trickster, if we can no longer make this observation in a public forum, then what, frankly, is the point?

Three points to quality media - inform, inspire, entertain. I think you just boshed them, along with a moral responsibility to protect the vulnerable.

This may well be my last post on the forum, so I'd like you to know that I love you all.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Cripes. Will miss you loads.

[Fuschia]

I was very unhappy with the ORCA person and disatisfied with the way she explained her conduct on facebook and how she came to try to friend me there as I am quite protective of my privacy.

I hope her decided to sponsor the forum wasn't an attempt to stifle discussion.

The thread had descended into namecalling though.

[Administrator]

I can assure you the sponsorship had nothing to do with it. A complaint was received yesterday via the Report this Message feature stating that posts were potentially libellious and defamatory. As the report came at the end of the day and I was in the pub I put the message on 'hidden' status until I can read it properly and make a decision.

I agree that taking the message down purely because they are a sponsor is wrong.

Now I'm just going to have a shower, have some breakfast and then have a read of the Orca thread and see what all the fuss is about.

[Administrator]

OK, I have read the thread and posts and found nothing wrong so I have unhidden the thread. I have asked for clarification on what parts of the thread are "slanderous and libelious" [sic].

I know the forum's not perfect but my actions are honest and people can question my actions, unlike se23.com's forum where there was actually a message saying something like "there will be no messages posted questioning the running of the forum". I know that sometimes I do err on the side of caution a bit too much, especially when it comes to personal security and local businesses, the latter usually to save on the emails from irate owners and potential hassle.

[Administrator]

I'm probably going to remove it following HAL90000000's post, and if he gives me some sensible advice.

Sometimes I wish some people would send me a friendly PM and say "Hey Admin, you're actually wrong and could rectify the situation like this" instead of posting a message and not bringing my attention to it. It does not come across as friendly gesture.

[Fuschia]

I have posted on the thread itself wth some relevant case law. I have some experience as a site mod elsewhere with those who threaten legal action if they don't like a particular discussion. But if a statement is true, then that is always a defence.

http://www.lawdit.co.uk/reading_room/room/view_article.asp?name=../articles/5176-Bulletin-Boards-Slander-Or-Libel.htm

"Mr Justice Eady said that the comments were likely to be considered as 'fair comment' i.e. they cannot be considered as defamatory if they are posted without malice and represent the posters honest views...Opinions may be expressed in exaggerated and strident terms; the only requirement is that they be honestly held. ... Even if they reached their conclusions in haste, or on incomplete information, or irrationally, the defence would still avail them."

"

[HAL9000]

Administrator Wrote:

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> Sometimes I wish some people would send me a

> friendly PM

Do you mean me? I didn't PM you because I knew immediately after I posted the original suggestion that JF had made a formal complaint. And the thread disappeared very quickly thereafter.

[HAL9000]

Fuschia Wrote:

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> Mr Justice Eady ...

... did though make it clear that "I would not suggest for a moment that blogging cannot ever form the basis of a legitimate libel claim...I am focusing only on these particular circumstances."

 

[Ladymuck]

Huguenot Wrote:

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> This may well be my last post on the forum, so I'd

> like you to know that I love you all.

Please don't go Huguenot...

*upset*

[Ladymuck]

PS:

I really don't like it when threads turn...well...oh f-uck it...what's the point...

Actually, I feel like leaving the forum too...

[Fuschia]

Have been thinking about this while I was dozing earlier.. I think Huguenot's "con artist" comemnt is OTT and not borne out by the evidence and should be removed.

I think Jennifer's "crime" has been to wade through FB looking for people who have an ED connection, then not just try to "friend" them herself in order to add them to her ORCA fB list, but to enrol "Autumn Ridlon" (who does seem to be a real person albeit with a rather skethcy profile.) Possibly both her profile and the other one night have belong to other ORCA frnachisees or something like that? Anyway, it's having these (American?) profiles getting involved that has made people focus on the nature of the whole business, and then being able to raise the issue here on the EDF it has been noticed that it'a a concerted campaign on FB.

I really dislike this form of marketing and will steer well clear of the whole orca thing as a result. Is it a"con"? I don't think so.

[Administrator]

HAL9000 Wrote:

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> Administrator Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Sometimes I wish some people would send me a

> > friendly PM

>

> Do you mean me? I didn't PM you because I knew

> immediately after I posted the original suggestion

> that JF had made a formal complaint. And the

> thread disappeared very quickly thereafter.

Yes I did mean you, especially your comment "PM the Admin and ask him to remove this thread because it is defamatory and libellous." Perhaps I am being over-sensitive but it would have been much appreciated if you had PM'd me yourself to tell me you believed there was something illegal on the forum.

[Administrator]

Ladymuck Wrote:

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> PS:

>

> I really don't like it when threads

> turn...well...oh f-uck it...what's the point...

>

> Actually, I feel like leaving the forum too...

I feel the same way to about this thread too Ladymuck, shall we leave together? Only joking about leaving of course, otherwise some would consider it blackmail but ffs, it's a friendly local forum, can we please keep it at that?

And thank you to those who contributed sensibly.

[HAL9000]

Administrator Wrote:

----------------------------------

> it would have been much appreciated if

> you had PM'd me yourself to tell me

In this case, doing so may have interfered with the aggrieved party's ability to seek legal redress.

> it's a friendly local forum, can we please keep it at that?

Pray tell: what is so friendly about stomping a local businesswoman's reputation into the ground on the strength of a paranoid aversion to spam?

Perhaps we should leave the abuse online as a permanent reminder of how friendly we can be - what do you think?

[????]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz......

What a load of cock

[Administrator]

So that's a "no" from HAL9000 then.

Ps what ????'s said

[HAL9000]

No, it's not a 'no' from HAL9000. Please don't interpret my (admittedly peculiar) posting style as a sign of unfriendliness.

In this case, I felt that a serious issue had to be dealt with in a serious manner. I congratulate Admin for making the right decision, by the way.

I feel nothing but warm, friendly feelings towards everyone on the forum and especially towards its Administrator and moderators. I'm not out to 'get' anyone and have no hidden agenda. I think the EDF is a wonderful local resource and would never do anything to disrupt its smooth running.

[silverfox]

Shame I didn't read this thread - anything with capital letters puts me off- but sounds as if I missed something.

Fuschia, truth and fair comment are not the same thing.

[Fuschia]

silverfox Wrote:

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>

> Fuschia, truth and fair comment are not the same

> thing.

But the first is an absolute defence and the second can be too. Factual tatements regarding the person's actions are justifiable... claling her a con artist wasn't, on reflection, IMO

[Keef]

Damn it, I want to read the thread now.

So what was the person doing on FB?

[*Bob*]

Keef Wrote:

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> So what was the person doing on FB?

Creating non-existent FB 'users' as a means to approach people and attract business.

Disgraceful stuff, really. She should fall into line with the rest of the advertising and business world and tell the whole truth - and nothing but the truth.

A. Winchester,

Dulwich.

[HAL9000]

Since names are also named in this thread: that was the allegation - "fake IDs" were neither proven nor admitted.

[????]

Hal this is a Forum not an episode of LA Law

[HAL9000]

We were going to call this episode Huguenot Jumps the Shark but Spielberg pointed out that it's already been done so we decided to go one better with Huguenot Jumps the Orca - what do you think?

Anyway, don't blame me: it was Huguenot's idea that the forum has, "a moral responsibility to protect the vulnerable".