"DUBAI — Online forums catering for Dubai residents are gaining in popularity, but many run the risk of being closed down. Strict rules on defamation in the UAE mean that moderators of online forums are constantly wary about giving users free rein.
Jane Drury, editor of the immensely popular forum ExpatWoman.com, said that it was the responsibility of site owners to ensure that content was appropriate.
“It is undoubtedly the responsibility of site owners to do their best to ensure that content is appropriate,” she said. “But it is very difficult — well, impossible — given forums are in a live environment, for webmasters to maintain exactly the tone or content that they might wish.”
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12 comments:
Yes, it's very difficult and the more users the more difficult it gets. I think it's important to try to set a standard and enforce it as best you can. I run emiratesmac.com and very early on we set some rules for what we'll allow or not. Sure some of that has changed over the years but much hasn't. It may upset some users but what we do is for the greater good. And I don't think we're much tougher being a site about the UAE than we would elsewhere in the world. We want our site to be family friendly so that sets the tone right there, much more than being a UAE site does, I think.
And the article is confused. First it's "online forums", then it's "blog sites".
“But if they [bloggers] are registered with us as journalists, and are abiding by an internationally recognised code of ethics, then we will defend them if they appear in court.”
one word: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
"... and are abiding by an internationally recognised code of ethics, "
I'm abiding by the code of ethics of south LA gangbangers.
Anonymous said...
“But if they [bloggers] are registered with us as journalists, and are abiding by an internationally recognised code of ethics, then we will defend them if they appear in court.”
one word: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
That isnt a word. And you are beyond stupid.
There are international codes of ethics when REPORTING, these are not exhibited in ANY blog in the UAE thus far. including citing sources, fact checking, and abiding by the laws of the country that you re in.
Just so happenes this country's laws are more strict. Deal with it or leave.
If you do follow these rules, and you are "reporting" in a way that makes you eligible to be a real journalist, you have the journalist organization's protection.
How many people here are registered there? none. so STFU.
The only vagueness I see is for example, the few blogs that are personally run by people who are reporters or writers for say... the National news paper. Is their personal blog also protected?
In the end this is targeted at sites that will grow to become online magazines of some sort. Something I'm kind of trying to do with Braintrust.
As for a forum like this one, or the one listed of basically foreign women who have nothing better to do, These ar ein no way protected and shouldnt be.
ABIT
You do rather tend to deserve the opprobrium heaped on you by so many with your ill-thought through comments.
It must fuel your anger and strong sense of alienation. I'm sorry for that.
The right of freedom of speech matters, regardless of where you're from. It's not a 'western' thing, it's a humanistic thing.
Few people posting on blogs would want to sign up to the UAE Journalist's Association Charter. In fact, discontent with the work of UAE Journalists drives many people who blog here.
And to add to that Alex, I take exception to ABIT's statement "these are not exhibited in ANY blog in the UAE thus far. including citing sources, fact checking, and abiding by the laws of the country that you re in.
Any? ABIT, you obviously read a very small number of blogs and from that statement you're reading the wrong ones.
nicely said alexander and seabee.
Mr ABIT, 'Booze drinker'? Seriously you start off a comment with slang, you pretty much undermine whatever you're saying. Please, just be cordial when you've something to say, please.
ABIT: Don't make comments like that. Not only was the label stupid, it was also redundant.
Wait...when am I a blogger and when am I a journalist? What are the ethics relating to tweeting about my TP? What is legal jurisdiciton based on when it comes to blogging - the physical location of the person, the location where the blog is hosted or the subject matter of the blog?
Oh how my head hurts.
All of which is off topic since we're covering forums here and not blogs. When it comes to forums, moderation isn't rocket science really - you create some Ts&Cs and moderate accordingly. On large sites you delegate moderation to power users or those you can trust and establish guidelines for moderators.
It's really really really simple actually.
"... deal with it or leave"
Ahh the old "Like it or go home" gambit...
..the perceived trump card for all discussions that may lean toward a critical view.
Was hoping I wouldn't see that in a response to a blog for at least a whole week.
the poster missed the opportunity to also add..
"we're full here" would have rounded the poorly directed spray off nicely.
I like this place immensely - it makes me laugh every day.
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