IMC censors comments it doesn't like
Against Censorship | 28.11.2011 15:41 | Analysis | Indymedia
IMC moderators are systematically censoring comments on published news wire items that they don't like/ disagree with. Unfortunately, this does give a skewed impression of the terms of the debate around certain issues and the false impression of consensus
This shouldn't be news, but unfortunately it is ... IMC engages in systematic censorship of comments that it disagrees with. Even when these comments are factually correct, even when these comments reflect dissenting views, these comments are deleted.
Such conflicting comments should not be deleted. IMC should not be practicing censorship because to do so undermines the entire raison d'etre of Indymedia - a counter to the dominant voice of mainstream media which censors dissent and opposing views.
IMC should allow dissenting views: allow the views of trolls to be published - this enables others to respond, to challenge and to possibly inform the holders of such views.
If IMC censors dissenting views there can be no challenge. Instead, IMC ends up existing in its own little self-confirmatory bubble away from the real world of conflicting opinions. If IMC readers hold opposing views, then let those views be heard/ read and where those views are unethical, unsustainable, unjust, then let those views and arguments that are ethical, sustainable and just be developed and put forward.
Otherwise, IMC becomes no different than the mealy-mouthed corporate media it prides itself on being different from.
This is no more important and relevant than in the thread regarding false propaganda on Iran having nuclear weapons. Who knows how many of the general public might come to IMC as a result of searching for information on this topic, and how many of those might hold opinions similar to those that have been censored, and because IMC is big enough and confident enough in the truth of the counter-claims, it can allow for a debate, and a dialogue, to emerge, showing all sides of opinion on the matter..
Instead, IMC becomes the alternative media's Fox News and censors all that it doesn't want to hear, that doesn't fit its agenda.
I thought we were different than this.
I thought that we were better than this.
I thought that IMC would be a more exemplary format of alternative and just media.
Please don't censor posts you don't like and show me that my faith - and financial support - in Indymedia was misplaced.
Such conflicting comments should not be deleted. IMC should not be practicing censorship because to do so undermines the entire raison d'etre of Indymedia - a counter to the dominant voice of mainstream media which censors dissent and opposing views.
IMC should allow dissenting views: allow the views of trolls to be published - this enables others to respond, to challenge and to possibly inform the holders of such views.
If IMC censors dissenting views there can be no challenge. Instead, IMC ends up existing in its own little self-confirmatory bubble away from the real world of conflicting opinions. If IMC readers hold opposing views, then let those views be heard/ read and where those views are unethical, unsustainable, unjust, then let those views and arguments that are ethical, sustainable and just be developed and put forward.
Otherwise, IMC becomes no different than the mealy-mouthed corporate media it prides itself on being different from.
This is no more important and relevant than in the thread regarding false propaganda on Iran having nuclear weapons. Who knows how many of the general public might come to IMC as a result of searching for information on this topic, and how many of those might hold opinions similar to those that have been censored, and because IMC is big enough and confident enough in the truth of the counter-claims, it can allow for a debate, and a dialogue, to emerge, showing all sides of opinion on the matter..
Instead, IMC becomes the alternative media's Fox News and censors all that it doesn't want to hear, that doesn't fit its agenda.
I thought we were different than this.
I thought that we were better than this.
I thought that IMC would be a more exemplary format of alternative and just media.
Please don't censor posts you don't like and show me that my faith - and financial support - in Indymedia was misplaced.
Against Censorship
Comments
Display the following 2 comments