That endless McCann thread - a question for the Moderators
Discussion
I don't know if any the sane members of PH ever look in to that humongous McCann thread (and if you spend more than a few minutes reading it, you tend to go nuts), but is it, I wonder, the single most nutty and libellous thread on all of PH? Do the Mods just put up with it because it's plainly bonkers, and allows the random haters of people whom they've never met to carry on with their theorising as a form of therapy for them? Speech is, of course, free, but every forum has its rules, and libelling people is usually against them. The net is so awash with loony McCann diatribes that the family could never sue them all, even if they wanted to, but it seems odd that this sort of conspiracy nonsense finds a home on PH.
Breadvan72 said:
I don't know if any the sane members of PH ever look in to that humongous McCann thread (and if you spend more than a few minutes reading it, you tend to go nuts), but is it, I wonder, the single most nutty and libellous thread on all of PH? Do the Mods just put up with it because it's plainly bonkers, and allows the random haters of people whom they've never met to carry on with their theorising as a form of therapy for them? Speech is, of course, free, but every forum has its rules, and libelling people is usually against them. The net is so awash with loony McCann diatribes that the family could never sue them all, even if they wanted to, but it seems odd that this sort of conspiracy nonsense finds a home on PH.
I am in complete agreement with Breadvan72. As he says, the thread is populated by "random haters of people whom they've never". The content ranges from wild speculation to pure libel about a family who have suffered the tragedy of losing a child without trace. Please bring it to a close. 
The haters have loads of dedicated fora on which they can play out their spiteful fantasies, and trash the reputations of two parents who suffered a grievous loss and against whom no police force has found any evidence of criminal conduct, as well as waging the typical internecine warfare of one conspiracy nutter against another.
We had a discussion closed a few weeks ago that concerned damage to a classic sports racer, a subject of direct relevance to PH, because the Mods thought that the thread was becoming libellous of one or both parties to the dispute, but the far more libellous McCann stuff goes on and on.
Of course, it's PH's site, and PH's rules, but it does seem odd.
We had a discussion closed a few weeks ago that concerned damage to a classic sports racer, a subject of direct relevance to PH, because the Mods thought that the thread was becoming libellous of one or both parties to the dispute, but the far more libellous McCann stuff goes on and on.
Of course, it's PH's site, and PH's rules, but it does seem odd.
Gaz. said:
No one (including yourself) has reported a post on that thread for months, PH uses peer moderation and there is a report button on the right hand side of each post.
Where to start? Almost every post breaks the PH rules. Most of us don't go there, I suspect. Occasionally, a perverse curiosity makes me look in there. I don't work for Carter Ruck, and am generally in favour of free expression and open debate. I merely observe that it's odd that PH puts up with such a plainly defamatory thread.
Breadvan72 said:
The haters have loads of dedicated fora on which they can play out their spiteful fantasies, and trash the reputations of two parents who suffered a grievous loss and against whom no police force has found any evidence of criminal conduct
Even this response is the polarised type that provokes reaction and continues the thread as it suggests anyone who believes anything else is wrong. I appreciate you can't reason with random internet folk, but doesn't mean they are always wrong.I asked this question on that very thread last week as I assumed that such a contentious thread would receive some oversight. I was prompted by a comment reading "I wish these murderers would just f
k off" which seemed a little strong in light of the comments we see deleted elsewhere on the site.
I'm no great fan or supporter of the McCanns personally but it shouldn't be overlooked that there is a chance that they're not actually murderers.
k off" which seemed a little strong in light of the comments we see deleted elsewhere on the site.I'm no great fan or supporter of the McCanns personally but it shouldn't be overlooked that there is a chance that they're not actually murderers.
Gaz. said:
I never said peer moderation was the only method so do not put words in my mouth. I am not passing any buck, if a thread is not reported then there is a good chance that we will not follow or act upon it.
OK, please take this as a report of the entire thread on the ground that it is manifestly defamatory. It exposes PH to litigation risk. It might be that the McCanns won't sue PH, because they have much else on their plate, but they might, just possibly, decide to make an example of a mainstream publisher such as Haymarket that provides a forum for the loons, as they did with the tabloid press. If they did, Haymarket would have to roll over quickly, as no defence of justification, comment, Reynolds or whatever would apply. Free legal advice, there you are. Symbolica said:
Out of curiosity I've just had a look - what a bonkers thread!
Ok, there are a few wannabe Poirot's in there but also some who believe the McCann's have serious questions to answer. It's not all about wanting to make G&K suffer and that they should burn in hell. It's about speculating what happened to that poor girl and why. We won't ever know I suspect, but it is still a fascinating case.
I usually wade into the threads where the underdogs are unable to fend for themselves, but even I baulk at the thought of going in there, it is filled with nonsense and hate that makes the first 50 pages of the Huhne thread seem almost reasonable and well considered.
Perhaps PH needs a 'Nutters Theories' section, using the McCann thread to kick-start such a place gives it nine-league boots from the get go.
Perhaps PH needs a 'Nutters Theories' section, using the McCann thread to kick-start such a place gives it nine-league boots from the get go.
I have (no doubt foolishly) ventured into the thread itself, but I shan't stay long, as I prefer my tinfoilerey to involve at least one lot of Space Aliens.
BTW, I came across a loony site run by a member of my profession the other week, who maintains that Madeleine McCann was taken away in a U Boat (yes, I did say a U Boat) on the orders of some Nazi spy organisation, to be provided to a paedo group of EU bosses in Brussels. Well, that clears that one up then.
BTW, I came across a loony site run by a member of my profession the other week, who maintains that Madeleine McCann was taken away in a U Boat (yes, I did say a U Boat) on the orders of some Nazi spy organisation, to be provided to a paedo group of EU bosses in Brussels. Well, that clears that one up then.
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