There are some situations where as well as deleting a post I think HQ should do more than just refer to its own guidelines but put in more of explanation. This is especially so as the site has such light touch real time moderation. The potentially libellous comment about ET was one issue but much worse was the post on the thread about the two girls being locked in their bedroom. The post that was deleted gave enough information for the family to be identified especially as we all know so much about the poster in RL including her name. This was an irresponsible post which potentially put the well being of two already vulnerable children at risk and I think HQ should have said something on the thread if only to remind us that GN is a completely open forum to which anyone has access. Most of us don't know each other in RL and even what we think we know each other on here , there will in some cases be a fabrication - we've had some dodgy posters in the past and they were the ones that were obviously dodgy. I know I'll get flamed for ths but really feel it's important - in RL much of my work is predicated on the need for confidentiality so it's in my DNA and I'm very aware of the dangers of gossipy comments made in inappropriate situations. Even if we don't have a professional duty to respect confidentiality, we all have a moral duty, especially in the case of vulnerable children. The gossipy, outrageous behaviour of the TA should have been reported IMO for example rather than broadcast on GN. We shouldn't be indulging in titilating gossip in situations like this - there's plenty of other opportunities
since i prefer not to sit on the fence , i choose to align myself with granny 2x. I appreciate her candor and her points of view. Go GT!
As R Q says 'nobody is ganging up' just saying what they think needs to be said. GT always says what she thinks, and so should we all.
I think things on here ( re the mods) are fair enough as they stand.However I don't like the idea of somebody doing a great deal of officious busy body type reporting of posts.We are not children.
I think that if there was an edit/delete facility, although it would be useful for correcting typos, there could be more of the insulting/ill-advised type of postings, not fewer. The temptation would be to fire things off without thinking about the effect the words might have, in the knowledge that the poster could remove or alter the post later on.
There's a facility to review posts before you press 'post message' - I don't usually bother doing that, but the facility is there if needed, and I do usually think before I post and often delete things on second thoughts!
From my experience on another forum I think it's quite difficult to set up an edit/delete facility, requiring major changes to the site software.
Thank you Lucy.
For those who continue to challenge my words (call me a liar) note the word potential is in bold print.
My post on the Conservative Manifesto thread was reported by GT as possibly being libellous. GNHQ deleted the post, quite fairly, and an amicable exchange of e.mails took place between us to verify that I posted information easily found out to be true and certainly not libellous.
I have full authority from GNHQ to repost my deleted post, in it's original form but I have not done so for no other reason than the thread had died a death and I felt for the sake of harmony opening it back up would cause further discord. I took it on the chin in other words.
Then Granny Twice started this thread which obviously referred to my deleted post on the Conservative Manifesto Thread and repeated her allegation of libellous content.
This was an unfounded baseless comment and being said once was enough but twice I had every right to stand my ground and challenge her remarks. Not one of you would have done anything differently . I am not the aggressor in this mayhem.
Granny Twice had the temerity last night to post :-
"I actually don't care much about the POGS thing".
Granny Twice why then did you report my post, accuse me of posting libellous comment, call me cheap, cheap, cheap, and twisted my post, then come back for seconds by mentioning it on a new thread.
To those of you who continued to address me on this thread in an accusary fashion I have to say if GNHQ has not settled the argument then nothing will and as I suspect from the moment I read the comments on the Conservative Manifesto Thread this was nothing to do with principal nor truth it is personal.
That would probably work on a non-contentious, everyday thread Tegan.
When spats or arguments ensue and accusations and insults are flying, I think GNHQ would rather know what's been going on, rather than coming to the thread and seeing lots of gaps when people have censored themselves after calming down a bit!
It seems to work on other forums. There is a space where your write the reason for the amendment/deletion so you can explain that it was too personal etc. It could be made obligatory for a reason to be given.
Hi Tegan, we have no plans to enable posters to edit/delete their own posts at the moment I'm afraid. From a moderating point of view it would muddy the waters (to say the least!!) when trying to establish what's happening on a thread and what action we should take.
But how will threads make sense if, for instance, you pop out for a couple of hours during a lively debate then return to gaps in the conversation?
I also think it will lead to more sniping with posters flouncing off because they've been asked to delete a post or because a post they dislike is still there.
The moderators do a good job.
Given that it sometimes takes quite a while for a post to be moderated would it not make sense for us to be able to delete our own post if we realise straight away that we've made an error of judgement or is someone points out to us that we have done so? This is the only forum I'm on that doesn't allow people to amend or delete what they've written and I still don't understand why that would cause a problem given that a potentially libelous post could be on the internet for quite a while before it's deleted.
Morning all,
It seems a few things still need clarification. While we are looking into the issue of giving more information about deletions, for now the actual deletion itself is between the poster and GNHQ. That said:
- As Phoenix says, we have been in touch via email and explained the reasoning behind her post deletion. It will remain deleted.
- Gransnet works on the basis of post moderation. This means that as soon as a potentially libellous post is reported to us we become legally obligated to look into it, which is what we did with POGS's post. Having had numerous discussions via email with the poster in question, we'd like to think we've come to a satisfactory conclusion.
In some cases, such as those that occur at the weekend, there will only be one person around to make a decision and as such it is perfectly reasonable for them to err on the side of caution until we can get together to discuss. As we've mentioned before, we are a very small team and the person on duty of an evening won't necessarily be the same one in the morning - so sometimes it's necessary to catch up with everything that's happening.
Please remember that personal attacks will not be tolerated and that, while we don't like to be overbearing in our moderation, we ask that posters interact with civility. Also, please do continue to report anything that concerns you (we very much appreciate and rely on this).
rosequartz You said to GrannyTwice "you are as free as you like to be "class sneak", the clear inference being that GT, and presumably anyone else reporting a post, is a "class sneak"
Eloethan I did point out that imo it is nicer and kinder to point out to the poster (either in another post or a pm) that they may want to re-think what they had written and withdraw it as it could be libellous or contentious in another way. Just to report posts because you have taken it upon yourself to police the site is not my way, although others may disagree. It just reminded me of school. Perhaps some have been appointed as prefects by GN, in which case fair enough. As you were.
As for 'ganging up' - I am not ganging up with anyone, just fighting my corner against being called names (again).
I am not in a 'clique' or 'gang' although I do realise that some have their own groups on here.
I used to be on a forum, much smaller than GN, the moderators were solicited from the members of the forum. Not a good situation, so biased.
Ceesnan yes. I sometimes wonder if the moderators need moderating! 
I don't think it is helpful to come on the thread sympathising with one aggrieved party personally. Isn't that what PMs are for.
I agree with ja. This thread has taken on a bullying tone.
Magpie, I agree with you all the way.
gT has upset a lot of people with her posts on this and other threads. Phoenix and POGS do not deserve all this at all.
I seem to remember that when a GNetter suggested that someone else's mental capacity was in doubt a couple of years ago, that post was very quickly deleted as it was deemed a personal attack - How times have changed!
phoenix take no notice, GT should apologise to you for her rude outburst, I have read lots of your posts and you seem a kind,caring, and genuine person. Please don't let this upset you.
rosequartz I agree with your comments.
I am the same in real life as I am on this forum.
Isn't it against the guidelines to assert that someone is "terminally confused"?
There are several blatant insults on this thread. I don't believe no one at HQ is keeping an eye on it. 
myself!
It looks like I need to be on my way today!
If what you are saying is true, then there is nothing wrong with either phoenix's post or POGS, I would have thought.
So why were they deleted?
Pompa invites STB to share his padded cell (single beds of course)
Correct me if I am wrong (and somebody surely will) but I thought Cari's point about reposting hinged on the phrase in the public domain
I also think the relevance of "identifying details" applies if one is saying e.g. "My next door neighbour" when that individual's identity should not be revealed. Not the identity of the member, at least 2 write under their own name, anonymity being optional.
Eloethan , JaneA and JessM have been models of sanity and clarity, let's not confuse the issue or bring this down to the level of what in Scotland might be called "a stair heid brawl" by including personal insults about whether any unspecified group think someone is "nicer" in RL - that does sound like stirring.
Sounds like JessM thinks I should join you! 
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