Hi Joe /Joe writes: We've never censored piano-related posts../ Unfortunatly, this is no longer entirely true. The content of pianotech is indeed monitored now, and the small group of ECC members can stop any post, piano related or not, they deem <<inflamatory>>. They have to be in aggreement about it, and you can even incure a suspension in which all subsequent postings are stopped and <<approved>>. They suspendee is not informed of his/her suspension, and not given any information as to what to do about it and there exists no proceedure for appeal or anything remotely resembling due process. Suspension stays in affect until whomever is <<on duty>> for any given week decides to lift the suspension. Actually, the whole thing deserves a solid debate on PTG-L as it does open the question of liability. Once the PTG begins any real control of content then it is in some real sense of the word responsible for that content.... Can get sticky real quick me thinks. Another point to consider is that any moderation is in direct conflict with the PTG's own on line description of list policy. My own experience with the whole thing left me feeling the whole thing needed very clearly defined rules that were aggreed upon by the membership at large and made very much public. And, in addition.. that there was due process built into the system. When I made this last point I was told by the then advisory vice president that any form of due process would <<rather defeat the purpose of suspensions>>. Rose an eyebrow to be sure. Cheers RicB
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