Reporting hate speech

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Actually, I have just re-read the removed posts in this thread and I am not going to split them off to make a separate topic. They contain too many personal attacks and inappropriate confrontational statements that a topic started with them would probably go downhill very fast. It would take a lot of work to edit out the inappropriate comments and as they are on a different topic than the one in this thread I am not going to take the time to do so.

For the record, I do not consider it a waste of moderators' time to explain the moderation process, not do I have any problem explaining how and why I reach my decisions. This topic is a valid thread and deserving of being treated that way.

Edited August 22, 2010 by Kathryn41

[Peikko 1,575]

Ok, thank you for that, I appreciate your taking the time to do so.

From my point of view, if I were to submit a report, it would definitely appreciate the acknowledgment that the report got to its destination - and some kind of follow up email to say that the reported issue had been reviewed - in terms of what action is taken while I would not expect to know the entire thought process I would expect the reviewer to let me have a brief outline of why they came to that decision, whether or not that decision agreed with my assessment of the incident or not. Without that brief explanation, the person doing the reporting can not have any confidence that a given incident has been given proper consideration and that is particularly important when no action is taken. If that is not a normal part of the process then it is time it was.

I do get that moderators are not available all the time, but the large amount of time that the board is not moderated impacts the impression one gets of the board - that is something that might need addressed if VJ is to be seen as a properly moderated board or perhaps the moderators should re consider whether this patchy moderation is doing more harm than good?

[^_^ 5,021]

For the record, I do not consider it a waste of moderators' time to explain the moderation process, not do I have any problem explaining how and why I reach my decisions. This topic is a valid thread and deserving of being treated that way.

Do your peers in the moderation team feel the same way?

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I wanted to add that in the situation with hate speech or racially inappropriate comments, etc. I will also google certain phrases or words or statements or sources if I am not familiar with them to try and get a better understanding of them. I may also send a PM back to the reporter and ask them why they feel this is inappropriate if it is something that I am not seeing. I do try to clarify the information, especially if it is an inference or an innuendo.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Do your peers in the moderation team feel the same way?

I certainly can't speak for anyone other than myself but from my conversations with them I don't feel they have any problems in explaining the process or their decisions either when the question is asked honestly and not as baiting or an attack. Having the time to do so, however, may be an issue .

[^_^ 5,021]

I certainly can't speak for anyone other than myself but from my conversations with them I don't feel they have any problems in explaining the process or their decisions either when the question is asked honestly and not as baiting or an attack.

In your opinion, are your peers in the moderation team more or less likely than you to perceive a question about a moderation decision as an attack?

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Ok, thank you for that, I appreciate your taking the time to do so.

From my point of view, if I were to submit a report, it would definitely appreciate the acknowledgment that the report got to its destination - and some kind of follow up email to say that the reported issue had been reviewed - in terms of what action is taken while I would not expect to know the entire thought process I would expect the reviewer to let me have a brief outline of why they came to that decision, whether or not that decision agreed with my assessment of the incident or not. Without that brief explanation, the person doing the reporting can not have any confidence that a given incident has been given proper consideration and that is particularly important when no action is taken. If that is not a normal part of the process then it is time it was.

I do get that moderators are not available all the time, but the large amount of time that the board is not moderated impacts the impression one gets of the board - that is something that might need addressed if VJ is to be seen as a properly moderated board or perhaps the moderators should re consider whether this patchy moderation is doing more harm than good?

I can appreciate you might wish to have an explanation of why we reached every decision, however, quite honestly, having to respond to every report twice - an acknowledgment of receipt and then an acknowledgment of action in addition to a brief outline of the rationale of a decision is asking for an awful lot. If we were paid employees, then yes, I agree you would have the right to expect that. With the way moderation is set up on VJ, then no, I don't think that this is as reasonable as you might believe. You are basically asking me to almost double my work load and already I am struggling to keep on top of it all. Trying to micromanage the moderation team isn't going to make things better.

I will respond to the reports I moderate and will give the details of my action. I may not give you my rationale. I am a volunteer and I am asking you to trust that I am doing the best job I can as honestly and as conscientiously as I can. We may not always agree on my decisions and in those cases you have the option to appeal my decision to Administration. If this means that you are going to be left without the confidence that the post has been given its proper consideration , then I think this is something you are going to have to come to terms with in yourself. This isn't a perfect site and yes, there are gaps and holes where there are times when no moderators are on site.

The focus for Visa Journey is immigration. Much of the discussion in Off Topic where the majority of moderation is focused has nothing to do with immigration. My priority is to help keep Visa Journey a helpful, supportive and viable community for those who are going through the immigration process. Everything else is 'gravy'. Keeping OT a viable option on VJ is not just the responsibility of the moderators. Each poster shares that responsibility, and when the mod team has to step in and take action in OT , it means that the members involved have not lived up to their shared responsibility.

Edited August 22, 2010 by Kathryn41

[Kathryn41 3,205]

In your opinion, are your peers in the moderation team more or less likely than you to perceive a question about a moderation decision as an attack?

It depends on how the question is phrased. I too may well see it as an attack and choose to answer anyway. I have done so previously and will continue to do so because that is how i deal with things. Something I might see as an attack another may not, and vice versa.

[Heracles 417]

While you will remove this for being off-topic, why should anyone of VJ have to explain themselves to Cleo or anyone?

It's a joke that a handful of people assume this private forum should answer or explain themselves to them.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

While you will remove this for being off-topic, why should anyone of VJ have to explain themselves to Cleo or anyone?

It's a joke that a handful of people assume this private forum should answer or explain themselves to them.

It's not a joke. Every member has the right to ask a reasonable question, and this is reasonable question - how does the moderation team work, and how does it address specific issues. How they deal with that information is their private matter but there is no reason why they cannot ask the question and expect a reasonable response. I will say that people are more likely to receive a serious response - at least from me if they ask politely and without insulting or attacking me in the process.

[Fandango 1,439]

I'm usually the first one to criticize your choices, Kaathryn, but all your posts in here in effort to explain the process must have taken a lot of time, and it's cool you went through the trouble.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I'm usually the first one to criticize your choices, Kaathryn, but all your posts in here in effort to explain the process must have taken a lot of time, and it's cool you went through the trouble.

Thanks . I appreciate this.

[Peikko 1,575]

Definitely, I think everyone that has read Katheryn's reasoned responses must definitely appreciate her taking the time to post the explanations so clearly thank you again.

I do understand much better how the process works - and the explanations also illustrates why the moderation sometimes appears to those who are simply using the service as sketchy, despite all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes.

I am now in two minds as to whether, as a participating member, reporting perceived hate speech is the best approach, or whether in fact just making a brief post in the thread that it appears in would be my best option, bearing in mind that I want to feel like my voice has been heard, but do not want to unduly burden the moderators or make their voluntary service more onerous than it already is. Food for thought.

If any other moderators feel they have more to share on this topic, I am very interested.

Edited August 23, 2010 by Madame Cleo

[mox 298]

I'm usually the first one to criticize your choices, Kaathryn, but all your posts in here in effort to explain the process must have taken a lot of time, and it's cool you went through the trouble.

I will second this.

[Peikko 1,575]

I'm sorry, I am disappointed that a certain posters pattern of behaviour isn't considered hate speech - I apologise if my disappointment colours my posts - I really do appreciate that Katheryn took the time to explain her point of view, and I genuinely believe she tries very hard to be fair particularly considering moderating VJ is voluntary. I can't say that I like it though - however, I am going to try not to get stuck on this and move on.