Edited: IF and Freedom Of Speech - Page 15

Originally posted by: Aahaana

Hey friends,

I have not had the chance to go through all of the 15 pages but understood that many are not happy with the new rules implemented by the IPK DTs.

Firstly, in order to maintain community harmony, its necessary for every forum to have a code of conduct, which the members have to abide by the rules, be it India, US or Europe. Beside that, when the members signed up here and agreed to our terms of service, we have clearly defined what restrictions you are agreeing to. The terms of use of the India-forums website clearly mentions the following:

"India-forums reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject, refuse to post or remove any Content (including private messages) posted by you, or to restrict, suspend, or terminate your access to all or any part of the India-forums Website at any time, for any or no reason, with or without prior notice, and without liability. India-forums expressly reserves the right to remove your profile and/or restrict, suspend, or terminate your access to any part of the India-forums Website if India-forums determines, in its sole discretion, that you pose a threat to India-forums and/or its Users."

It should clear out the members main query here.

Secondly, it's a open forum and everyone has their right to voice out their opinions so none is taken away their "freedom of speech". We welcome constructive criticism but demeaning destructive criticism that is meant to tear another member/actor/character down can't be encouraged and it's also very hurtful. Remember there is a very thin line between criticism and bashing which the members easily forget. Many of the members have been using swear words or even curses on the actors and that's not part of criticism. Calling someone a 'Bitch', asking them to 'go to hell', wish them 'death', 'sucks ass', 'dumbo ugly face' etc will not be tolerated here. If you think its part of your opinion and criticism then sorry to say this but these are just direct bashing and insult of an actress. Would you have accepted it if someone used those words on Barun or Sanaya?? I assume the fans sentiments would have been hurt reading that so the same goes for Dajleet and her fans too. The sections DT has already clarified why they implemented the rules and it doesn't just apply to Daljeet but also other cast of IPK like Barun, Sanaya, Abhaas, Deepali, and Akshay etc.We are not asking anyone to like Daljeet or Anjali. Infact we encourage the members to share their constructive criticism on the absurdity of the series's story line and character, as well as to discuss the actor's talents within the IF's COC without using any abusive words. At the end of the day, it's the tone of your voice, and your choice of words that makes the difference here.

Thirdly, I have come to know that topics containing bashes have been closed by the IPK DTs. You all may cry foul for such closure but it is done in every section mainly to see things run smoothly and to keep the atmosphere of the forum harmonious. It's a necessary step taken by the Dev Team, keeping in view the state of the section. Many of the members here have grudge against the DTs and want to prove their point right but remember it takes two hands to clap. If you think you have been wrongly accused/warned by the moderator, take it up with the higher DT instead of calling names to the DT. The section DT may be at fault too, we all are humans and none is perfect. Just point it out nicely to the DT that they are wrong instead of making any derogatory references.

Also do remember people visit this forum from the industry for feedback too, so that way it works as a platform, which is bridging the gap between TV industry and the audience. So any feedback and criticism given with good intentions may be taken into consideration by them but if its only insult and personal attack, none will take the fans feedback into consideration.

Lastly, do follow the rules and IF COC and see that the section's DT are not forced into taking actions against any of you.

At the end of the day, we are all here for the same reason: to have fun and discuss our favourite show so lets do that😳!

Regards,

I-F Dev Team

Thanks a lot for taking time to respond!
I have little confusion with two things you said.

1. About "tearing apart" the characters. The characters in a show are fictional characters that don't represent real actors! So why can't we criticize them negatively? I'd like to clarify that: Why can't we "bash" the characters? When we're saying Arnav is rude, that doesn't mean Barun Sobti is rude!
When we're saying Shyam is the worst guy in universe, we're not saying Abhaas is a bad guy!
Now, if I say Anjali is a hypocrite or a dumb person, that doesn't also mean Daljeet is a hypocrite/dumb herself!
We should be able to criticize a character as much a we want, because characters are parts of the story that determine the storyline!
Also, every fan of IPK has different POV. If someone doesn't like Khushi/ Sanaya at all, why should they refrain from stating their POV just because I might feel bad?

2. About the PH visiting our forum, the PH has the right to know about our reactions on their work! If we're angry, they should be aware of that! If we're insulting an actor or the whole PH in our posts, they should also get to know the reason! So I see nothing wrong about people visiting from the industry and reading the bashing posts! Of course I'm not taking about name calling or personal attacks! I'm talking about criticisms- both good and bad!

Again, I would like an explanation regarding why we can't bash a fictional character even if it deserves that. If I hate a character, I should be able to to say that!

Thanks again for reading the post and replying. 😊

Originally posted by: Aahaana

Hey friends,

I have not had the chance to go through all of the 15 pages but understood that many are not happy with the new rules implemented by the IPK DTs.

Firstly, in order to maintain community harmony, its necessary for every forum to have a code of conduct, which the members have to abide by the rules, be it India, US or Europe. Beside that, when the members signed up here and agreed to our terms of service, we have clearly defined what restrictions you are agreeing to. The terms of use of the India-forums website clearly mentions the following:

"India-forums reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject, refuse to post or remove any Content (including private messages) posted by you, or to restrict, suspend, or terminate your access to all or any part of the India-forums Website at any time, for any or no reason, with or without prior notice, and without liability. India-forums expressly reserves the right to remove your profile and/or restrict, suspend, or terminate your access to any part of the India-forums Website if India-forums determines, in its sole discretion, that you pose a threat to India-forums and/or its Users."

It should clear out the members main query here.

Secondly, it's a open forum and everyone has their right to voice out their opinions so none is taken away their "freedom of speech". We welcome constructive criticism but demeaning destructive criticism that is meant to tear another member/actor/character down can't be encouraged and it's also very hurtful. Remember there is a very thin line between criticism and bashing which the members easily forget. Many of the members have been using swear words or even curses on the actors and that's not part of criticism. Calling someone a 'Bitch', asking them to 'go to hell', wish them 'death', 'sucks ass', 'dumbo ugly face' etc will not be tolerated here. If you think its part of your opinion and criticism then sorry to say this but these are just direct bashing and insult of an actress. Would you have accepted it if someone used those words on Barun or Sanaya?? I assume the fans sentiments would have been hurt reading that so the same goes for Dajleet and her fans too. The sections DT has already clarified why they implemented the rules and it doesn't just apply to Daljeet but also other cast of IPK like Barun, Sanaya, Abhaas, Deepali, and Akshay etc.We are not asking anyone to like Daljeet or Anjali. Infact we encourage the members to share their constructive criticism on the absurdity of the series's story line and character, as well as to discuss the actor's talents within the IF's COC without using any abusive words. At the end of the day, it's the tone of your voice, and your choice of words that makes the difference here.

Thirdly, I have come to know that topics containing bashes have been closed by the IPK DTs. You all may cry foul for such closure but it is done in every section mainly to see things run smoothly and to keep the atmosphere of the forum harmonious. It's a necessary step taken by the Dev Team, keeping in view the state of the section. Many of the members here have grudge against the DTs and want to prove their point right but remember it takes two hands to clap. If you think you have been wrongly accused/warned by the moderator, take it up with the higher DT instead of calling names to the DT. The section DT may be at fault too, we all are humans and none is perfect. Just point it out nicely to the DT that they are wrong instead of making any derogatory references.

Also do remember people visit this forum from the industry for feedback too, so that way it works as a platform, which is bridging the gap between TV industry and the audience. So any feedback and criticism given with good intentions may be taken into consideration by them but if its only insult and personal attack, none will take the fans feedback into consideration.

Lastly, do follow the rules and IF COC and see that the section's DT are not forced into taking actions against any of you.

At the end of the day, we are all here for the same reason: to have fun and discuss our favourite show so lets do that😳!

Regards,

I-F Dev Team

Aahanaa,

Thank you for your reply. But it hardly addresses the matters or the issues raised.

You have quoted some of your rules and COC etc.

So let us start there.

Yet we see several threads celebrating their 15th birthday in IPK forums. I even got a PM for someone's 13th birthday wishes thread. We have been told my moderators, proudly I might add, that 9 year olds visit this forum, when there was that big uproar about FFs having graphic content.

Will you ban, all the IDs of those who are 16 and younger because that is your rule. If you promise you will, we can easily show you the proof of such birthday celebration posts for 13, 14, 15 and 16.

Second, character bashing is not allowed. Why? Who is getting hurt here. Can you please explain this. This is what riles most of us. All though I do not agree with treating Actors with kid gloves either, who is getting hurt when a character is bashed?

Previously I got a response from MODS, that Shyam can be bashed as he is a villain. We were clearly told, Barun and Sanaya cannot be bashed. Do you know how many posts are there vilifying Shyam and the actor playing Shyam. How many posts call Dadi names not befitting an elder lady. Where is the indignation then?

Yes, I know. MODS cannot read and monitor every thread and can only close when a thread is reported.

That is where the problem with your rules are.

These under 16 year olds, whom no laws in any country will recognize as fully mature individuals are trigger happy when they see the report button. So when they see Barun criticized or Sanaya criticized because, like I said, they are still living their Disney Dreams, they get hurt, report the hurt and the entire Thread is shut down. They do not get bothered when Shyam or Abhaas are lynched or Dadi is skewered, because, they do not have Disney dreams about villainous characters.

Yet the same age group along with matured age group post graphic details of the male anatomy, zooming, morphing pictures of Barun. Guttural details of his Ass, or his underwear which would assault the senses of his wife (as per your logic, people connected with the show can visit IF) if she ever paid a visit. Barun himself said he is very uneasy with the unhealthy approach of young ladies seeing him as a sexual object.

So are you saying, if I report such posts and say, my sensibilities are offended, you will close those posts? No.

Glorification of male anatomy in explicit manner of hot looking actor is considered Positive but mature content in FFs are shut down because 9 year olds visit the forum.

Do the Dev Team not see the contradictions?

And as for the creative team visiting IF. Can you please ponder on this.

Aishwarya was panned mercilessly by the critics in SLB Devdas. SLB himself was vilified for his direction. Even the mighty SRK was not spared by some magazines. Mind you. Aishwarya was just playing Paro. Paro was not bashed. SRK was playing Devdas. Devdas was not bashed. Instead the technicians, who are responsible for bringing the entertainment to the public, the technicians who accept the public shelling out their money to see entertainment as their payment, they are the ones panned, dissected and praised or skewered. This is universal in any industry. So in IF why this fierce protection of Characters let alone actors?

Please do not assume hurt or project hurt onto an actor. Because an actor is a person who in all his or her sanity, full senses, with all judgment intact takes the decision to earn name and fame and wealth in the entertainment industry, enter it with full knowledge about the pitfalls of the industry, the bouquets they will get and the brick bats they will have to endure. They are mature enough to know that and hence risk their personal lives and put it out for everyone to gawk at. IF need not protect their feelings by throttling the voices of people who want to negatively criticize because they do not like what is being offered.

Which brings me to the last point. Bashing is never a word which can be used here. Even if a member is directly attacking another member and the member being attacked complaints, you can delete the comment of the offending member, not the entire thread. I see several times where many of my friends circle open threads, we have a good time arguing and sharing ideas, some teenagers who do not like our negative reviews go an a reporting spree, and out posts are closed for Excessive Sarcasm. Excuse Me. We are a group of tightly formed friends group and we are not even allowed to be sarcastic with each other regarding the show.

Originally posted by: stafhtad

Aahanaa,

Thank you for your reply. But it hardly addresses the matters or the issues raised.

You have quoted some of your rules and COC etc.

So let us start there.

It clearly states no one under 16 allowed.

Yet we see several threads celebrating their 15th birthday in IPK forums. I even got a PM for someone's 13th birthday wishes thread. We have been told my moderators, proudly I might add, that 9 year olds visit this forum, when there was that big uproar about FFs having graphic content.

Will you ban, all the IDs of those who are 16 and younger because that is your rule. If you promise you will, we can easily show you the proof of such birthday celebration posts for 13, 14, 15 and 16.

Second, character bashing is not allowed. Why? Who is getting hurt here. Can you please explain this. This is what riles most of us. All though I do not agree with treating Actors with kid gloves either, who is getting hurt when a character is bashed?

Previously I got a response from MODS, that Shyam can be bashed as he is a villain. We were clearly told, Barun and Sanaya cannot be bashed. Do you know how many posts are there vilifying Shyam and the actor playing Shyam. How many posts call Dadi names not befitting an elder lady. Where is the indignation then?

Yes, I know. MODS cannot read and monitor every thread and can only close when a thread is reported. That is where the problem with your rules are.

These under 16 year olds, whom no laws in any country will recognize as fully mature individuals are trigger happy when they see the report button. So when they see Barun criticized or Sanaya criticized because, like I said, they are still living their Disney Dreams, they get hurt, report the hurt and the entire Thread is shut down. They do not get bothered when Shyam or Abhaas are lynched or Dadi is skewered, because, they do not have Disney dreams about villainous characters.

Yet the same age group along with matured age group post graphic details of the male anatomy, zooming, morphing pictures of Barun. Guttural details of his Ass, or his underwear which would assault the senses of his wife (as per your logic, people connected with the show can visit IF) if she ever paid a visit. Barun himself said he is very uneasy with the unhealthy approach of young ladies seeing him as a sexual object.

So are you saying, if I report such posts and say, my sensibilities are offended, you will close those posts? No.

Glorification of male anatomy in explicit manner of hot looking actor is considered Positive but mature content in FFs are shut down because 9 year olds visit the forum.

Do the Dev Team not see the contradictions?

And as for the creative team visiting IF. Can you please ponder on this.

Aishwarya was panned mercilessly by the critics in SLB Devdas. SLB himself was vilified for his direction. Even the mighty SRK was not spared by some magazines. Mind you. Aishwarya was just playing Paro. Paro was not bashed. SRK was playing Devdas. Devdas was not bashed. Instead the technicians, who are responsible for bringing the entertainment to the public, the technicians who accept the public shelling out their money to see entertainment as their payment, they are the ones panned, dissected and praised or skewered. This is universal in any industry. So in IF why this fierce protection of Characters let alone actors?

Please do not assume hurt or project hurt onto an actor. Because an actor is a person who in all his or her sanity, full senses, with all judgment intact takes the decision to earn name and fame and wealth in the entertainment industry, enter it with full knowledge about the pitfalls of the industry, the bouquets they will get and the brick bats they will have to endure. They are mature enough to know that and hence risk their personal lives and put it out for everyone to gawk at. IF need not protect their feelings by throttling the voices of people who want to negatively criticize because they do not like what is being offered.

Which brings me to the last point. Bashing is never a word which can be used here. Even if a member is directly attacking another member and the member being attacked complaints, you can delete the comment of the offending member, not the entire thread. I see several times where many of my friends circle open threads, we have a good time arguing and sharing ideas, some teenagers who do not like our negative reviews go an a reporting spree, and out posts are closed for Excessive Sarcasm. Excuse Me. We are a group of tightly formed friends group and we are not even allowed to be sarcastic with each other regarding the show.

Is this not kind of bullying. Why are threads closed which is a disrespect to the TM if one person is not mature enough to live and let live. Why should a TM feel suffocated and feel he / she is being bashed by MODS, when his or her thread gets closed, because outside of his / her control, two members get into it personally. Why punish the TM. Why not the members who are disrupting the thread.

People who hide behind the report button to get threads closed seem to have more power than MODS and that is an act of cowrdice, because it shows, they have fully learnt to abuse the report button. If my subject says, Barun Should Improve his Hugging Skills, that subject itself should tell anyone opening the thread it is not a positive thread about Barun. So what right does a Barun fan have to still open the thread, come in, preach about positivity, riles us up asking us to get a life, tell us it is a show, get into it, report it and get it closed. How does such immature mischief makers have more rights than the person who created the thread.

If you want to apply rules, give the same power, freedon and rights to both the person reporting the person being reported, and the thread creator. Please do not close down entire threads, because punishing a thread maker for something he or she never did is illegal whether explicitly mentioned or implicitly implied.

So please understand, if threads are being closed, because members are attacking each other, maybe, it might have an ounce of truth to it. But entire threads being closed because, someone else is hurt because we said Arnav is an idiot, is not within any MODS rights, even if we go through your COC with a fine tooth comb.

Well said :) It addresses everything that is stupid about their policy (I dont know if policy is the right word -- but whatever that is )

Hi All,

India Forums does not permit posting of any content or material which is or can be construed as being:

• sexually explicit, po*nographic
• offensive to any religion, race or community
• abusive language or Derogatory Expressions.
• violative of anothers Intellectual Property

"Freedom of Speech" as I understand is also subject to certain restrictions including "respect of the rights or reputation of others" or "the protection of national security or of public order (order public), or of public health or morals".

To make my point simple:

Our goal is to ensure that India-Forums's online forums and chat channels are welcoming environments where people can come together and discuss relevant subjects and topics in a friendly and non-aggressive environment.

Since its a Discussion forum and people from all parts of the world logs on to site for a healthy discussion we appreciate that one should not use terms which are considered abusive / derogatory / indecent in public.

I dont know of any country where calling someone "UGLY BITCH" or "dumbo ugly face" does not qualify as "derogatory expressions" and we will continue to delete such content. Even the same goes for certain slangs which are considered inappropriate in public.

If there is a legal case made against us on this we would certainly contest the same in the court of law so no point just talking about it here.

Regards,
Vijay Bhatter

Originally posted by: vijay

Hi All,

India Forums does not permit posting of any content or material which is or can be construed as being:

sexually explicit, po*nographic offensive to any religion, race or community abusive language or Derogatory Expressions.
• violative of anothers Intellectual Property

"Freedom of Speech" as I understand is also subject to certain restrictions including "respect of the rights or reputation of others" or "the protection of national security or of public order (order public), or of public health or morals".

To make my point simple:

Our goal is to ensure that India-Forums's online forums and chat channels are welcoming environments where people can come together and discuss relevant subjects and topics in a friendly and non-aggressive environment.

Since its a Discussion forum and people from all parts of the world logs on to site for a healthy discussion we appreciate that one should not use terms which are considered abusive / derogatory / indecent in public.

I dont know of any country where calling someone "UGLY BITCH" or "dumbo ugly face" does not qualify as "derogatory expressions" and we will continue to delete such content. Even the same goes for certain slangs which are considered inappropriate in public.

If there is a legal case made against us on this we would certainly contest the same in the court of law so no point just talking about it here.

Regards,
Vijay Bhatter

Vijay,

Originally posted by: vijay

Hi All,

India Forums does not permit posting of any content or material which is or can be construed as being:

• sexually explicit, po*nographic
• offensive to any religion, race or community
• abusive language or Derogatory Expressions.
• violative of anothers Intellectual Property

"Freedom of Speech" as I understand is also subject to certain restrictions including "respect of the rights or reputation of others" or "the protection of national security or of public order (order public), or of public health or morals".

To make my point simple:

Our goal is to ensure that India-Forums's online forums and chat channels are welcoming environments where people can come together and discuss relevant subjects and topics in a friendly and non-aggressive environment.

Since its a Discussion forum and people from all parts of the world logs on to site for a healthy discussion we appreciate that one should not use terms which are considered abusive / derogatory / indecent in public.

I dont know of any country where calling someone "UGLY BITCH" or "dumbo ugly face" does not qualify as "derogatory expressions" and we will continue to delete such content. Even the same goes for certain slangs which are considered inappropriate in public.

If there is a legal case made against us on this we would certainly contest the same in the court of law so no point just talking about it here.

Regards,
Vijay Bhatter

Hello Vijay,
You can make whatever rules you want for your forum. All I am saying is please amend the original contract with these additional rules/interpretations. Till then what you are saying does not hold up. I am not getting into all the silly details on why threads are closed, comments deleted etc etc.. Anyway no interest in continuing this argument with people that don't understand contracts. You will need to "AMEND" your original contract. Please just do that.

Originally posted by: vijay

Hi All,

India Forums does not permit posting of any content or material which is or can be construed as being:

• sexually explicit, po*nographic
• offensive to any religion, race or community
• abusive language or Derogatory Expressions.
• violative of anothers Intellectual Property

"Freedom of Speech" as I understand is also subject to certain restrictions including "respect of the rights or reputation of others" or "the protection of national security or of public order (order public), or of public health or morals".

To make my point simple:

Our goal is to ensure that India-Forums's online forums and chat channels are welcoming environments where people can come together and discuss relevant subjects and topics in a friendly and non-aggressive environment.

Since its a Discussion forum and people from all parts of the world logs on to site for a healthy discussion we appreciate that one should not use terms which are considered abusive / derogatory / indecent in public.

I dont know of any country where calling someone "UGLY BITCH" or "dumbo ugly face" does not qualify as "derogatory expressions" and we will continue to delete such content. Even the same goes for certain slangs which are considered inappropriate in public.

If there is a legal case made against us on this we would certainly contest the same in the court of law so no point just talking about it here.

Regards,
Vijay Bhatter

Hello Vijay!

I just found this post that was closed by a moderator...
URL Not Available

Would you please take a look at the post and the comments on it and explain why was it closed?
I'm a fan of Barun myself, but don't see anything that could possibly make the mods close this topic! Majority of forum members are Barun fans, so they can dislike criticisms about him and report the post! That doesn't mean you have to close a topic right?
I don't even see a single slang/derogatory language, or members attacking other members/ actors in this topic!

I respect your view about derogatory language. But I do think that mods are really in need of watching their steps regarding closing/removing a topic!
If majority of members on IF don't like my opinion, doesn't mean I can't say it maintaining the decency of my language!
Remove those comments that are attacking the TM, not the whole post!

Another thing I'd like to ask you is, why only criticisms are taken as offensive but not the graphic OS/FFs that contain inappropriate materials?
I've never seen a gutter with vulgar contents being closed in the forum, but negative criticisms of actors/characters are closed too often.
Any explanations for that?

Thank you for taking your time!

Originally posted by: vijay

Hi All,

India Forums does not permit posting of any content or material which is or can be construed as being:

• sexually explicit, po*nographic
• offensive to any religion, race or community
• abusive language or Derogatory Expressions.

Like I said this is NOT in the terms of use.

• violative of anothers Intellectual Property

"Freedom of Speech" as I understand is also subject to certain restrictions including "respect of the rights or reputation of others" or "the protection of national security or of public order (order public), or of public health or morals".

This by definition is VIOLATION of freedom of speech when you impose your own interpretation of it. People can say what they want and if someone has a problem with it, they can take that person to court -- if the case is admissible. A medium which is YOUR site cannot stop people from EXPRESSING themselves by becoming a "Policing Authority".

Case LAW on this is LONG. Here are some examples:

1. RUSH LIMBAUGH calling the Sandra Fluke a s**t on National Radio

His career tanked and people went after him but they did not STOP him because he is well within his rights.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rush_Limbaugh%E2%80%93Sandra_Fluke_controversy

https://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/03/08/35-hateful-and-stupid-rush-limbaugh-quotes/ -- A complete list of his comments!

No one ever STOPPED him from saying all this -- people just said he was MORALLY wrong -- but the Radio Station -- a MEDIUM like you never stopped him -- because it is against the law to do so -- it is violation of his first amendment rights!

I find this guy MORALLY REPREHENSIBLE -- I hate his guts but, I dont dispute his right to say what he wants -- I want action taken after he says CRAP. But as you can see what he says constitutes HATE speech -- NOT a young 20 year old girl just venting because her SOAP was ruined by an actress!

2. The famous Don IMUS comments

https://mediamatters.org/research/2007/04/04/imus-called-womens-basketball-team-nappy-headed/138497 -- Again the TV station could NOT act on him to prevent him from making remarks that were this bad. His first amendment rights allowed him to -- when the sponsors pulled out, they had to act. This is even racially DEROGATORY! But no one put restrictions on stating an opinion or told him "you better fall in line or else".

He faced consequences afterwards and I am not against you imposing such consequences if people do this "racial stuff".

I was one of the people that called for his head after this -- he was fired from MSNBC -- but I never questioned his right to say what he wants to.

Before you get confused about what I am saying let me make this clear -- I am NOT supporting what these guys said. I am supporting the TV station (which is you in this case) for allowing them to express themselves. When people didnt like it, they had to take him off the air. In your case NO ONE uttered a single word of real hate speech. It was just a bunch of girls going "I hate you" which what they would say to their parents or friends if something they love is snatched away -- for you to take the time to delete them and then tell people "we will increase your warning levels if you say "I hate you" is just funny"!

Now for language on your hangups about it and why I think you are making people CONFORM to your MORAL standards:

Channel E -- Bitch Stole my Look -- Involving the QUEEN of England:

https://redux.com/view/post/2029605/Fashion-Police-British-Bitch-Stole-My-Look

This is again on National TV and people know that it is for entertainment -- The list of celebs that got caught in this is HUGE -- includes Lady Gaga, Fergie, Beyonce' etc

MTV has a segment W*F:

https://www.mtv.co.uk/W*F -- Why is this OK? Simple people created that segment and it is popular -- nothing derogatory about it!

Do I enjoy this stuff -- NOPE! But am I ok with others enjoying it -- HELL YEAH.

So, if Daljeet (to give you a specific example) were to come to you and say that she is HURT by all these comments, you can have her make an appeal to the viewers of the show to stop yelling at her. Then the Viewers can respond back to her on what they think and why they may retract some of their statements.

That is the power of your medium -- and I think that is the main use of a forum like this.

You restricting people from saying things just does not work!

To make my point simple:

Our goal is to ensure that India-Forums's online forums and chat channels are welcoming environments where people can come together and discuss relevant subjects and topics in a friendly and non-aggressive environment.

Since its a Discussion forum and people from all parts of the world logs on to site for a healthy discussion we appreciate that one should not use terms which are considered abusive / derogatory / indecent in public.

Twitter/Facebook/Myspace or any other social networking site has the same goals -- but NO ONE ever stops people from expressing themselves with things like WARNINGS. Like I said in my post -- if you want to use your right to delete content to extend to what you think is inappropriate that is a different legal matter. But, telling people what they cannot say and threatening them with BANs and Warnings is completely against your own policy!

By what stretch of imagination does criticizing an actress or a character threaten NATIONAL SECURITY? Then these "vague" terms like "constructive criticism" as your RIGHT to judge is simply telling people "we want you to do things our way or it is the high way". If your intent is that please tell your users.

If someone is pissed enough or has enough time they will go after you.

I dont know of any country where calling someone "UGLY BITCH" or "dumbo ugly face" does not qualify as "derogatory expressions" and we will continue to delete such content. Even the same goes for certain slangs which are considered inappropriate in public.

This is precisely my point -- Go to a PM I sent to your admin Aahaana -- I sent twitter messages to the PH, Starplus, and individuals like GH -- TWITTER did not restrict me from using the words I wanted to use.

I sent the same messages on FACEBOOK -- they did not restrict me from using whatever language I used. I am sending you a PM with those messages.

What I am trying to convey to you is SIMPLE -- you are trying to set MORAL standards for people -- that does not work -- that is not the job of this MEDIUM.

I can give you a million cases where words are used commonly in conversations -- if you want to sift through all of those and stop people from using them -- YOU ARE RESTRICTING Freedom of Speech.

If there is a legal case made against us on this we would certainly contest the same in the court of law so no point just talking about it here.

This is by far the most juvenile thing you can say as someone responsible for the business. You are challenging your users who LOVE your forum and the people on it to a legal battle! Is this the kind of relationship you see developing between your site and its users?

USE IT IF YOU LIKE IT OR ELSE??? This is very similar to the "Dekhna hain to Dekho!" comment isnt it? Do you want to make the same mistake?

Regards,
Vijay Bhatter

So in Summary Vijay, the MEDIUM has no right to PREACH moral standards! You can implement your rules as long as the can hold up in the court of the LAW OF THE LAND!

Good luck man! Hope if not anything you were able to open up your mind to take in some of this info. We are not FIGHTING TO WIN. We look at this as a family and we are happy that you set up this site for our fun. We know how businesses run -- most of us are ADULTs who have our own considerable business experience.

Originally posted by: Flora3333

Hello Vijay!

I just found this post that was closed by a moderator...
URL Not Available

Would you please take a look at the post and the comments on it and explain why was it closed?
I'm a fan of Barun myself, but don't see anything that could possibly make the mods close this topic! Majority of forum members are Barun fans, so they can dislike criticisms about him and report the post! That doesn't mean you have to close a topic right?
I don't even see a single slang/derogatory language, or members attacking other members/ actors in this topic!

I respect your view about derogatory language. But I do think that mods are really in need of watching their steps regarding closing/removing a topic!
If majority of members on IF don't like my opinion, doesn't mean I can't say it maintaining the decency of my language!
Remove those comments that are attacking the TM, not the whole post!

Another thing I'd like to ask you is, why only criticisms are taken as offensive but not the graphic OS/FFs that contain materials not appropriate for anyone?
I've never seen a gutter with vulgar contents being closed in the forum, but negative criticisms of actors/characters are closed too often.
Any explanations for that?

Thank you for taking your time!

Thank You Flora for that Link. Great Job!

Now lets us look at the mods comments and analyze -

"This has stretched further than it should have, opinions are not being respected and this has become a bashing zone for both the actor and members. Closing"

1. This has stretched further than it should have Really? What is her problem if it stretches and people are trying to understand each other? In this case I did not even see any name calling! Why is she is ultimate decision maker on how long a topic is allowed to continue? Again really what is her problem??

2. opinions are not being respected ->Is it the moderators job to make sure people respect each other "opinions"? Is she their mommy?

3. this has become a bashing zone for both the actor and members- > What is her problem if someone said something against the actor? We are well within our rights to criticize an actor (I like Barun Sobti - that does not mean other people have to like him too!) Again I did not see even the so called derogatory comments on this thread! Now do you see the problem making everything subjective?

I did not see any problem either with the thread or with the comments. But the moderator used her subjective assessment of the situation making her the POLICE WOMAN, JUDGE and JURY of the thread and hence the forum!

Again great job Flora!

Originally posted by: kkksr

Thank You Flora for that Link. Great Job!

Now lets us look at the mods comments and analyze -

"This has stretched further than it should have, opinions are not being respected and this has become a bashing zone for both the actor and members. Closing"

1. This has stretched further than it should have Really? What is her problem if it stretches and people are trying to understand each other? In this case I did not even see any name calling! Why is she is ultimate decision maker on how long a topic is allowed to continue? Again really what is her problem??

2. opinions are not being respected ->Is it the moderators job to make sure people respect each other "opinions"? Is she their mommy?

3. this has become a bashing zone for both the actor and members- > What is her problem if someone said something against the actor? We are well within our rights to criticize an actor (I like Barun Sobti - that does not mean other people have to like him too!) Again I did not see even the so called derogatory comments on this thread! Now do you see the problem making everything subjective?

I did not see any problem either with the thread or with the comments. But the moderator used her subjective assessment of the situation making her the POLICE WOMAN, JUDGE and JURY of the this thread and hence the forum!

Again great job Flora!

Thanks 😊
It was bothering me why the topic had been closed!

1. What did the MOD mean by "further than it should have"? What's the limit? I don't get the whole idea of "limit" here.

2. If I don't respect your opinion, does that mean mods have right to close your post?

3. If I comment, "I disagree"/"you're wrong"/"you can't say that!!" , does that make your topic a "bashing zone"?

If someone has a problem with an actor's acting, he/she has the right to state that no matter if others agree or not. You can't close a topic just because someone reported that. Use your own brain!

I'm still waiting for the explanations I asked for.