Comments on: +972 Magazine’s policy for commenting http://972mag.com/972-magazines-policy-for-commenting/10196/ Independent commentary and news from Israel & Palestine Fri, 24 May 2013 10:35:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: sos http://972mag.com/972-magazines-policy-for-commenting/10196/comment-page-1/#comment-113270 sos Mon, 11 Mar 2013 18:30:15 +0000 http://972mag.com/?p=10196#comment-113270 I want to comment that I think you have made a mistake in going the route you have. I want to explain my reasoning but first make a suggestion that you adopt some sort of comment ranking system. This way at least helpful comments can be promoted by the majority of followers on this website, and the trolls can be down-voted to the bottom. The current system allows a few full time disruptors (I am thinking of 3 or 4 users who post comments here more consistently than people who share a common perspective with this site) to essentially dominate all discussion. The reason I think your stance is mistaken is because of the inevitably polarizing effect that extreme comments have. They drag down the discussion to the same tired debates that leave people feeling defensive and hostile. By not sinking into these endless debates, we can begin to have deeper discussions that don't simply involve fighting for and against the Hasbara agenda. I think it would be possible for a deeper more meaningful and adult type of conversation to take place in comments within this site, but at the moment it just is not happening. By limiting discussion to those who share a common viewpoint you actually wind up getting more interesting debates not less. I really hope you do consider this, because in their current form I believe the comment section on most of the great articles on +972 to be a tragic waste. I want to comment that I think you have made a mistake in going the route you have. I want to explain my reasoning but first make a suggestion that you adopt some sort of comment ranking system. This way at least helpful comments can be promoted by the majority of followers on this website, and the trolls can be down-voted to the bottom. The current system allows a few full time disruptors (I am thinking of 3 or 4 users who post comments here more consistently than people who share a common perspective with this site) to essentially dominate all discussion.

The reason I think your stance is mistaken is because of the inevitably polarizing effect that extreme comments have. They drag down the discussion to the same tired debates that leave people feeling defensive and hostile. By not sinking into these endless debates, we can begin to have deeper discussions that don’t simply involve fighting for and against the Hasbara agenda. I think it would be possible for a deeper more meaningful and adult type of conversation to take place in comments within this site, but at the moment it just is not happening. By limiting discussion to those who share a common viewpoint you actually wind up getting more interesting debates not less. I really hope you do consider this, because in their current form I believe the comment section on most of the great articles on +972 to be a tragic waste.

]]> By: SASKWATCHM http://972mag.com/972-magazines-policy-for-commenting/10196/comment-page-1/#comment-17169 SASKWATCHM Wed, 27 Jul 2011 06:15:53 +0000 http://972mag.com/?p=10196#comment-17169 1. If there is a word limit, that limit should be specified in the Comment Policy and in parentheses next to the words FREE TEXT or as a caption just below the blue-lined FREE TEXT comment box. As TWITTER already has a severe character limit protocol, +972 should have a liberal word limit, perhaps 250 or 500 words, if a word limit is really necessary in the first place, unless it is the intent of +972 to recreate TWITTER. 2. While the individual choice policy to allow or disallow comments is a respectable policy, +972 should at least have each comment read by all of your contributors for their recommendations to allow or disallow any particular comment, then leave the comment approval decision to the article author (multiple readers offer the opportunity for more accurate and precise understanding of comments). The personal feelings and biases of +972 authors may easily interfere with free expression in several ways. It is easy to take personal offense, when a contrary opinion or a sharp/strong tone of voice is expressed; it is easy then to misapply a "personal offense" doctrine, when no personal offense may be intended; and in the more extreme case, where personal attack is utterly clear and intended, authors should allow all comments and should turn over to the police any comments that may exceed mere vindictiveness and may actually represent threat. +972 may achieve a high level of professionalism and respect by having an open and liberal comment policy. 3. A personal note: I am new to reading +972 and I am sure that my opinions may in many respects be strong, sharp, and contrary to those expressed at times in +972. Unless +972 is devoted to creating a "mutual admiration society" of like-minded, like-blinded persons, then I look forward to reading and commenting to +972, and I hope you will show me the respect of publishing my comments, whether or not you agree or disagree with my comments. If the goal of +972 is free speech and not anarchic speech or name calling, the +972 may develop into a respectable source of journalism. 1. If there is a word limit, that limit should be specified in the Comment Policy and in parentheses next to the words FREE TEXT or as a caption just below the blue-lined FREE TEXT comment box. As TWITTER already has a severe character limit protocol, +972 should have a liberal word limit, perhaps 250 or 500 words, if a word limit is really necessary in the first place, unless it is the intent of +972 to recreate TWITTER.

2. While the individual choice policy to allow or disallow comments is a respectable policy, +972 should at least have each comment read by all of your contributors for their recommendations to allow or disallow any particular comment, then leave the comment approval decision to the article author (multiple readers offer the opportunity for more accurate and precise understanding of comments).

The personal feelings and biases of +972 authors may easily interfere with free expression in several ways. It is easy to take personal offense, when a contrary opinion or a sharp/strong tone of voice is expressed; it is easy then to misapply a “personal offense” doctrine, when no personal offense may be intended; and in the more extreme case, where personal attack is utterly clear and intended, authors should allow all comments and should turn over to the police any comments that may exceed mere vindictiveness and may actually represent threat. +972 may achieve a high level of professionalism and respect by having an open and liberal comment policy.

3. A personal note: I am new to reading +972 and I am sure that my opinions may in many respects be strong, sharp, and contrary to those expressed at times in +972. Unless +972 is devoted to creating a “mutual admiration society” of like-minded, like-blinded persons, then I look forward to reading and commenting to +972, and I hope you will show me the respect of publishing my comments, whether or not you agree or disagree with my comments. If the goal of +972 is free speech and not anarchic speech or name calling, the +972 may develop into a respectable source of journalism.

]]> By: Lisa Goldman http://972mag.com/972-magazines-policy-for-commenting/10196/comment-page-1/#comment-4699 Lisa Goldman Mon, 07 Feb 2011 11:35:20 +0000 http://972mag.com/?p=10196#comment-4699 We'll decide on a case-by-case basis. Each +972 blogger can make her/his own decision regarding a comment. I might find that term offensive and delete it, while one of my colleagues might decide to keep it. I don't want to argue about this issue anymore. Basically, if I don't like a comment because it offends me or someone that I respect, I'll delete it. I want the conversation on my blog to be thought-provoking and respectful. I think the best policy for a commenter is to re-read it before submitting it. Is it courteous, to the point and written to promote an interesting conversation? Good. Is it rude, insulting, longer than 100 words or off-topic? Not good. We’ll decide on a case-by-case basis. Each +972 blogger can make her/his own decision regarding a comment. I might find that term offensive and delete it, while one of my colleagues might decide to keep it. I don’t want to argue about this issue anymore. Basically, if I don’t like a comment because it offends me or someone that I respect, I’ll delete it. I want the conversation on my blog to be thought-provoking and respectful. I think the best policy for a commenter is to re-read it before submitting it. Is it courteous, to the point and written to promote an interesting conversation? Good. Is it rude, insulting, longer than 100 words or off-topic? Not good.

]]> By: Kibbutznik http://972mag.com/972-magazines-policy-for-commenting/10196/comment-page-1/#comment-4690 Kibbutznik Mon, 07 Feb 2011 10:17:58 +0000 http://972mag.com/?p=10196#comment-4690 Ok Lisa , I do get your point but I still think you are asking for the impossible . Do you think Nick is using the term 'Judenrein' appropriately, in order to make a serious point, with the goal of provoking a respectful dialogue rather than a mud-slinging contest ? Ok Lisa , I do get your point but I still think you are asking for the impossible .
Do you think Nick is using the term ‘Judenrein’ appropriately, in order to make a serious point, with the goal of provoking a respectful dialogue rather than a mud-slinging contest ?

]]> By: Bmfc http://972mag.com/972-magazines-policy-for-commenting/10196/comment-page-1/#comment-4632 Bmfc Sun, 06 Feb 2011 15:48:08 +0000 http://972mag.com/?p=10196#comment-4632 You had me at "We". If you ever need a correspondent in South America just let me know. We don't have genocides (at the time) or Apartheid regimes. But we do have racism as in any other continent. Palestina Libre You had me at “We”.

If you ever need a correspondent in South America just let me know. We don’t have genocides (at the time) or Apartheid regimes. But we do have racism as in any other continent.

Palestina Libre

]]> By: Lisa Goldman http://972mag.com/972-magazines-policy-for-commenting/10196/comment-page-1/#comment-4625 Lisa Goldman Sun, 06 Feb 2011 11:17:27 +0000 http://972mag.com/?p=10196#comment-4625 Kibbutznik: We have not banned Nazi terminology. We are saying that we won't allow it to be used in order to insult, undermine, discredit or hurt others. Rather than engaging in a long argument about whether or not that type of terminology should be used at all, we are saying it should be used appropriately, in order to make a serious point, with the goal of provoking a respectful dialogue rather than a mud-slinging contest. Kibbutznik: We have not banned Nazi terminology. We are saying that we won’t allow it to be used in order to insult, undermine, discredit or hurt others. Rather than engaging in a long argument about whether or not that type of terminology should be used at all, we are saying it should be used appropriately, in order to make a serious point, with the goal of provoking a respectful dialogue rather than a mud-slinging contest.

]]> By: Kibbutznik http://972mag.com/972-magazines-policy-for-commenting/10196/comment-page-1/#comment-4620 Kibbutznik Sun, 06 Feb 2011 09:55:56 +0000 http://972mag.com/?p=10196#comment-4620 " banning Nazi terminology " personaly I think you are asking for the impossible. question , is it okay to link to here ? http://www.kibush.co.il/show_file.asp?num=44487 [quote]This young neo-Nazi understood, in his racist wisdom, that there is no better place than the Israeli Occupation Army to find release for his violent racist impulses and at the same time to be accepted in Israel. He will do it with the permission, authority and backing of the State. The army will permit him to kill, beat, humiliate and abuse, and instead of seeking out migrant workers, three million Palestinians – babies, children, youths, women and old men – will be at his disposal as potential victims. And no less important, military service will convert religious Jews from “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” to allies instead of being victims of his frustrations. [/quote] ” banning Nazi terminology ”

personaly I think you are asking for the impossible.
question , is it okay to link to here ?

http://www.kibush.co.il/show_file.asp?num=44487

[quote]This young neo-Nazi understood, in his racist wisdom, that there is no better place than the Israeli Occupation Army to find release for his violent racist impulses and at the same time to be accepted in Israel. He will do it with the permission, authority and backing of the State. The army will permit him to kill, beat, humiliate and abuse, and instead of seeking out migrant workers, three million Palestinians – babies, children, youths, women and old men – will be at his disposal as potential victims. And no less important, military service will convert religious Jews from “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” to allies instead of being victims of his frustrations. [/quote]

]]> By: Arieh Zimmerman http://972mag.com/972-magazines-policy-for-commenting/10196/comment-page-1/#comment-4603 Arieh Zimmerman Sat, 05 Feb 2011 22:02:35 +0000 http://972mag.com/?p=10196#comment-4603 Elaine Meyria, Please excuse my jumping into the discussion at this point. Inappropriate language might include that which paints all Israelis with the same brush; there are tens of thousands of normal Israelis working daily to limit the damage caused to Palestine and the Palestinian people caused by our government. I suggest that the normal distribution curve exists in most most nations given similar circumstances, i.e., in times of stress or in time of peace and plenty. Even so, there is no reason not to condemn the slide toward fascism that we are witnessing in our country. I do not believe that +972 will censure ideas which make our politicians and/or right-wingers squirm so much as proscribe language which is unbecoming. Elaine Meyria, Please excuse my jumping into the discussion at this point. Inappropriate language might include that which paints all Israelis with the same brush; there are tens of thousands of normal Israelis working daily to limit the damage caused to Palestine and the Palestinian people caused by our government.
I suggest that the normal distribution curve exists in most most nations given similar circumstances, i.e., in times of stress or in time of peace and plenty.
Even so, there is no reason not to condemn the slide toward fascism that we are witnessing in our country. I do not believe that +972 will censure ideas which make our politicians and/or right-wingers squirm so much as proscribe language which is unbecoming.

]]> By: Elaine Meyrial http://972mag.com/972-magazines-policy-for-commenting/10196/comment-page-1/#comment-4602 Elaine Meyrial Sat, 05 Feb 2011 21:43:06 +0000 http://972mag.com/?p=10196#comment-4602 Your site is a valuable resource in advancing dialogue on this most emotional issue. I agree that it is important to maintain civility with the understanding that, although I believe that an enormous injustice was imposed on Palestinians in 1948 and that they deserve a homeland , Israel is a legitimate state created and recognized by the UN. However, what do you mean by "inappropriate use of WWII terminology? If I believe that some Israeli policies directed at the occupied people of Gaza and the West Bank are militaristic, am I not allowed to express that opinion? How does one describe the occupation of Palestine and the feelings of ethnic superiority amongst some in Israel if vocabulary that describes that fact is denied simply because it recalls a brutal past history in Europe? I acknowledge that there are strong fascistic elements in American society, especially within the Republican Party. It also exists in Israel. Your site is a valuable resource in advancing dialogue on this most emotional issue. I agree that it is important to maintain civility with the understanding that, although I believe that an enormous injustice was imposed on Palestinians in 1948 and that they deserve a homeland , Israel is a legitimate state created and recognized by the UN. However, what do you mean by “inappropriate use of WWII terminology? If I believe that some Israeli policies directed at the occupied people of Gaza and the West Bank are militaristic, am I not allowed to express that opinion? How does one describe the occupation of Palestine and the feelings of ethnic superiority amongst some in Israel if vocabulary that describes that fact is denied simply because it recalls a brutal past history in Europe?

I acknowledge that there are strong fascistic elements in American society, especially within the Republican Party. It also exists in Israel.

]]> By: Arieh Zimmerman http://972mag.com/972-magazines-policy-for-commenting/10196/comment-page-1/#comment-4601 Arieh Zimmerman Sat, 05 Feb 2011 21:13:43 +0000 http://972mag.com/?p=10196#comment-4601 Good luck on the site; I think that it is already head and shoulders above the 'talk-backs' of even decent newspapers, for example, HaAretz. But, occasionally, so it seems to me, you will have to chose between open dialogue and comments which relate to the original articles in a serious manner. I am concerned, for example, that on facebook quite often the original purpose of threads are lost in comments which in no way advance the dialogue. Good luck on the site; I think that it is already head and shoulders above the ‘talk-backs’ of even decent newspapers, for example, HaAretz.
But, occasionally, so it seems to me, you will have to chose between open dialogue and comments which relate to the original articles in a serious manner. I am concerned, for example, that on facebook quite often the original purpose of threads are lost in comments which in no way advance the dialogue.

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