Free Speech and Censorship.
I know many bloggers have comment moderation on. When I first began blogging, I had comment moderation on but it became too many emails for me. An email to tell me there was a comment would I allow it? Then when I approved it, an email to tell me that it posted. I found myself approving them all and figured, what's the point? It's a lot of emails that I don't want to be bothered with. So far, it's been working out great for me.
However, that being said, I have not had anyone comment something pornographic or otherwise offensive in that manner, maybe not very nice, but certainly not offensive in that sense. I realize that others who do have comment moderation on, have it for very personal reasons.
I only ask this question because my BFC got me thinking.
Is comment moderation a form of censorship and therefore limiting free speech? I mean we put stuff out there in the public arena on public blogs right? So we are taking advantage of free speech, but what if someone comments something we don't like or agree with? Is that then censorship? Should we go to a private blog if we don't want comments that aren't what we approve of? I don't know. That is why I am asking the question.
Discuss.......
I don't think that free speech applies to anything other than the government. You aren't guaranteed free speech at work, or church, or in the blogging world.
ReplyDeleteI used to allow anonymous comments, but I took that off a while ago, and honestly, I've only had one negative comment, and he left his name.
I started with it like you with the comment moderation....then found I was not getting an "bad" comments.....I did put it back on while I was on vacation...just incase...I don't want someting obscene up for a while and not be there to take it down....but today I did take off "Anonymous" comments....I think if you are gonna say someting...don't hide behind Anonymous=)
ReplyDelete.....it may be a form of speech censorship...but I feel very similar to the censorship that we maintain in our own household....if someting was said that was not appropriate in your own home....you would address it...or kick such language out....same on your own personal blog...you make the rules that you feel are appropriate...and the language you allow....or at least that is how I see it!
...and hey...I missed you!
I feel more comfortable with comment moderation...some of my readers are nasty...
ReplyDeletei don't moderate comments because i don't feel the need to do so.
ReplyDeletei kind of get annoying when i can't see my comment after i post it (because it's awaiting moderation), but it doesn't really bother me in the big scheme of things.
to each his own.
Even newspapers and magazines edit or refuse to print material they don't approve of. And my blog is an extension of my personal life. I take ANYTHING off my comments list I don't like.
ReplyDeleteFor reasons I can't begin to explain, a girl who knows me once left a comment on my blog where she used my maiden AND married names. I pulled that comment immediately, with no thought to the implications toward free speech.
I also asked her to stop commenting on my blog.
i use comment moderation because of the political posts as well as religious...
ReplyDeletei do allow and post the opposing view-
i like the variety and i like to try to come up with a good comeback---it's fun! :)
but i have to moderate because sometimes somebody not very nice will call my friends who have commented names or they will trash the mormon church or joseph smith...those kind of comments don't get air-time on my blog.
I don't as of now, but if I had negative comments then I would for sure. It's your own blog and you have the control.
ReplyDeleteCorrect me if I'm wrong, but "Free Speech" applies to being able to speak out about our politics with no repercussions from the government. The gal on FB who went off has to be a Liberal... that's how they think for real, right? Wow. I don't allow "free speech" as in, all things nasty or disrespectful, in my household. (Sometimes crude and rude pops up, but, I have boys - what can I say!) And your blog is an extension of your household, so, edit and moderate away, it's your blog! Do as you choose. It Is Still a Free Country! (for now...)
ReplyDelete:~D
It's a matter of choice. If my blog is political in nature its reasonable to moderate for obscenity not content or view. If it's about family and life in general it's reaonsable to moderate for congruency; we should hang out with people we like.
ReplyDeleteI like independent people who enjoy learning. I learn from other people. Therefore I allow unmoderated comments.
Good question.
ReplyDeleteI've never gotten anything nasty. I keep hoping ;)
My friend moderates because her kids are all adopted and she needs/wants to keep their privacy & anonymity.
My comment has lready been said, pretty much, but I'll say it also: It absolutely is censorship to limit the comments people can put on our blog and we absolutely have a right to do it. Only our govenment has guaranteed everyone the right to free speech. Not my blog. :)
ReplyDeleteJust like we have a right to free speech, we have a right to protect ourselves. I think that DeNae said it best when she talked about newspapers and magazines editing whatever they see fit. Comment moderation doesn't stifle free speech, people can still say what they want, they just might not get to say it to as many people in as public of a place!
ReplyDelete