Hate speech on boards.ie

@Boards.ie: Odhran

According to the Prohibition of Incitement To Hatred Act, 1989, the following applies as regards hate speech

Hate speech is any communication that is made in public with the intention or likelihood of being threatening or abusive and likely to stir up hatred against people because of their:

• Race
• Colour
• Nationality
• Religion
• Ethnic or national origin
• Membership of the traveler community
• Sexual orientation

A 5 min trawl of the C&A forum shows threads, not just individual posts, over flowing with hateful posts against other nationalities, races, ethic origins etc.

A review of the boards.ie terms shows only the following term

• You agree, through use of this service, NOT to use boards.ie to post any abusive, harmful, vulgar, obscene, sexually explicit, indecent, profane, inappropriate, or racially, ethnically or otherwise objectionable Material, except where the content is appropriate to the content of the forum and you have been granted specific permission to do so and subject to our guidelines on said content

This is both broad enough to allow for anything to fall under it while also being vague enough to allow a lot to escape. Likely by design and I understand why its necessary to have that level of flexibility

That being said, I have 3 questions, specifically for @Boards.ie: Odhran or @Boards.ie: Mike

1. Have boards.ie any plans to align the terms of use of the site (and therefore moderation) with the Prohibition of Incitement To Hatred Act, 1989 to prevent hate speech as outlined in that act.
2. This act is under going update to expand the protected characteristics to include gender (including gender identity and expression) and disability as well as make it an offence to deny or trivialise genocide. Have boards.ie any plans to align with this legislation either after its enacted or even take proactive steps to prevent hate speech against gender (including gender identity and expression) and disability ahead of its implementation. Same question as regards the point on genocide
3. Lastly, if boards.ie does align the terms with the legislation (current and/or future), how will this be captured in terms of training of existing mods and/or onboarding of new mods into the future so they understand how to recognise hate speech

Note none of this is a dig at any mods, this is about what is acceptable per the terms, which can limit/guide the actions of mods when posts are flagged. One mod may currently find something acceptable while another may find it unacceptable. The same applies to posters

markodaly

Can you link some examples?

markodaly

Also, did you report these posts and what did the mods say when you contacted them by PM?

I am always weary of people categorising posts as 'hate speech' as often it's just that they disagree with the post and tone of them, rather then them being actual hate speech.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120091255#Comment_120091255

This thread came from me reporting a post which was acted upon by a mod swiftly. I wanted to reference what it was in breach of in the terms when I was flagging it but when I reviewed the terms nothing was contained there, hence this thread.

Danzy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120091284#Comment_120091284

Unless a lot of people have reported your post, you should be ok. If it was really verging on incitement you would have received more reports and warnings it have it deleted.

It may be a salutary lesson to consider what you are posting in the future though.

Guess_Who

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120091338#Comment_120091338

I'm confused. Was the op not the person who reported the post?

Danzy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120091363#Comment_120091363

Not sure to be honest.

Gatling

For Orc s sake

thegame983

Imagine reporting someone.

EmmetSpiceland

If it could be contained within the “Current Affairs” forum it would be something, at least. Maybe add an addendum to the forum charter explaining that as long as it’s kept general then anything goes.

The problems arise when CA users start to infect other, more normal, forums with their odious opinions. I, personally, would “suggest” that if a user gets a ban from CA that this should extent to all forums in the ‘Social & Fun’ category.

In fact, any user with the “prison bars” slapped onto their avatar, never a good look, should have their “output” in this category massively restricted. As it stands, they don’t seem to be much of a deterrent.

Guess_Who

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120091413#Comment_120091413

A little Draconian

Furze99

Hmm.. I was listening again today to some politicians moaning about being lambasted on social media. When the same politicians LUV to use social media to promote their personal spin and agendas. They seemingly don't mind mild criticism but call for curbs on those who disagree with them more fundamentally. I'm thinking, maybe they should just get off social media?

Guess_Who

I really enjoy a heated conversation,as long as the participants are being honest and somewhat respectful.

What I can't stand is when someone accuses you of hatred because they don't agree with you.

Very easy way of shutting a conversation down.

Very dishonest too.

Gatling

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120091413#Comment_120091413

Why not add shamed to their boards handle too

CalamariFritti

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120091387#Comment_120091387

Funny you should find yourself here of all people. Thread title must have struck a note.

One of our resident hate speech experts one might say...

EmmetSpiceland

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120091439#Comment_120091439

I don’t think so. If they’re given “free rein” in CA they should leave the rest of the site alone. If they, then, get a ban from CA they’ve proved that they cannot behave as required for any of the, more normal forums in ‘Social & Fun’.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120091525#Comment_120091525

The bars should be shame enough, although I don’t think they show up on the “desktop” version of the site.

They are supposed to come with some “restrictions” but they don’t seem to curtail much.

You get a lot of these hate speech merchants always complaining about the moderators, and admins, having some sort of leftie WOKE(all caps) “bias”, or vendetta, against them. Surely, this lot would prefer to have a place where they could spit their bile in peace, as long as they could do it in a, somewhat, civil manner?

emo72

"prison bars" on an avatar, on the internet. Oh the shame.

Padraig Mor

"Hate speech" = people hold views different to mine, and that shouldn't be allowed as I am virtuous, progressive person!

bucketybuck

There are pompous, sanctimonious bottom feeders posting in this thread that are far more damaging to the board than any of the people they claim are posting hate speech.

Gatling

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120091540#Comment_120091540

Why ???

Deja Boo

How does the act feel about pronouns? If I use the wrong one, will I be imprisoned? .../s but... at this point it may be a valid question.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120091805#Comment_120091805

No it’s definitely not a valid question and the mere notion is laughable at best.

Besides that ridiculous comment, the fact is boards.ie is not inciting hate speech or even encouraging it. It’s clear as day by now the mods haven’t got the manpower they need, so naturally more shite seeps through.

While there are some crazy and outright stupid posts about travellers, trans/gay people, etc none of them amount to hate speech as is defined by the act. Meaning, some vitriolic post is not terribly likely to incite a bunch of boards users to rise from their swivel chairs and march the streets towards the nearest halting site or LGBT meeting and abuse them or worse.

Namely because they’re all cowards who wouldn’t dare speak to someone like that in real life, but also because it’s by and large just trolling or they’re genuinely very stupid, but either way, I don’t expect it ventures far beyond their laptop screen.

Deja Boo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120091683#Comment_120091683

I see what you mean.

Akrasia

There used to be a 'dont be a dick' rule in the charter. That seemed to cover a lot

Recently the forum has been getting increasingly toxic

Lots of posters just looking to sh1t on others instead of pursuing engaging conversation

Count Dracula

I always thought that Sanctimonious was a type of passive aggressive Dinosaur, whose remains had never been discovered yet, but still held an almost deity like manifestation in the hearts and minds of people who you can't understand properly?

I always pictured it in a purply pinkly dulcete hue, that fitted well into the corners of prehistoric polarised diatribe.

Beasty

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120091805#Comment_120091805

Niamh set out site policy here

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/110864714#Comment_110864714

We will use discretion. Maybe a 0 point warning initially simply advising posters that their terminology is not acceptable (assuming no other issue with a post), and their post deleted. If a poster repeats after receiving such a warning they can expect sanctions to escalate

CalamariFritti

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120091696#Comment_120091696

I thought I remembered you as one of those guys all over the Russian sub-human orcs deserving all horrible deaths or so. Apologies if I confused you there.

Deja Boo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120091901#Comment_120091901

Off topic - I wish my hospital displayed equal sensitivity to all, trans or no. Staff weren't allowed to call me by my actual (and preferred) pronoun, everyone had to be a "they" all the way, regardless of preference. It didn't bother me either way, although they did bandy about alot of "hons" ...which irritated me no end.

Back on topic - I assume (at some point), boards may have to adopt a similar tactic, if warnings get out of control for mods to keep track of (sounds like it's adding more workload to limited mod numbers)

...or will Vanilla be adding a "preferred pronoun" option, under a users avatar, as some forums have? (edit: this may not be a bad idea, especially for those who prefer being referred to by a specific pronoun - it could alleviate misunderstandings, if ever the need arises for pronoun usage on post.)

Oscar_Madison

It's not so much hate speech that I've noticed but attacking the poster is rife in CA- i.e. idiot, you're this, you're that, oh you must do X or whatever- like you know me- just fck off you don't - or pointed unquoted posts calling out people indirectly - pathetic - we haven't even got to page 2 of this thread and you can already see it in action here.

I'm fcking sick of the baiting in CA and in some forums on boards.

Beasty

There is no need to be discussing another user at all except in exceptional circumstances. The issue really arises when discussing people outside the site. Deliberate misgendering is the main issue we have, and that attracts sanction

Regardless of has been said, there is A LOT of transphobia on boards (and internet discussion boards as a whole,). It just straddles the line of what's allowed so it gets a pass.

It's insidious. As is how much attacking the poster, not the post is allowed to go on.

Count Dracula

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120091892#Comment_120091892

I entirely agree with this sentiment.

But it can be difficult at times to not feel the urge with so many gaping arseholes posting shight, literally everywhere.

" Taaaaaxxxxiiiii ?????? "

Gatling

@Deja Boo or will Vanilla be adding a "preferred pronoun" option, under a users avatar, as some forums have?

What difference would it make having preferred pronouns under Avatar,

If I reply to a post or poster it's the handle that's which will be quoting a section or tagging the particular poster in my own reply,don't see how pronouns work in a anonymous discussion forum because it's your handle that identifies who you are ,

I rarely say he or she said that or this I say madmary who's the actual poster said , madmary can identify as who or whatever they choose, but I've no interest in saying he,she ,they,xe, miss /madame or sir . Because it has no bearing on the discussion/s

CalamariFritti

There is certainly s lot of hate speech in the Russia/Ukraine threads going on.

It's understandable that Russia doesn't get any sympathy fair enough but I guess your average Russian soldier doesn't actually have much say in this. And yet it appears that moderation has no problem that they're all called subhumans who deserver to die horrible deaths and anything else under the sun. People are actually revelling in snuff sh1t in those threads and they're quite descriptive too.

Regardless of what one thinks about the issue generally is that actually mod policy here? That hate speech rules don't apply to Russians? That you can say anything about them cos you know the war? I mean there must be blind eye turned to it I've never seen anything like this before.

Deja Boo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120092068#Comment_120092068

Oh, I agree with calling people by their usernames wholly... but pronouns are reasonable in some circumstances... and some forums now list pronoun options under avatar (I assume to avoid misunderstandings if there is any preference), it could be helpful for mods and posters alike... Personally, I don't care if you call me a penguin, just don't call me "hon" ;)

Gatling

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120092089#Comment_120092089

The Russian soldiers killing and raping men , women and children,the Russians slaughtering whole town's , the Russians bombing hospitals, school's, creches and Play grounds

They will reap exactly what they sow

Murdering pedophiles.

And you have an issue how their treated

Count Dracula

Not correct ......as you should under the charter be responding to the post..... and not the poster, or postette .... ( conceited smug smiley not available, apols )

If you are responding to the post, gender is irrelevant to the tone or substance of your response, unless you are aiming to deliberately antagoniZe, albeit unsubtly.

CalamariFritti

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120092107#Comment_120092107

So I didnt confuse you after all. Nice. Fitting signature too I suppose.

Gatling

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120092106#Comment_120092106

I don't even call my wife hon ,

Let alone some random handle I've no idea who and whats behind the handle,

I'm sure some might like the option,I'm sure I've seen it on signatures either here or elsewhere

Jequ0n

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120092107#Comment_120092107

I don’t know how many times I have reported stuff like this but it wasn’t actioned. I guess I’ll just be called a Putin fanboy again.

Gatling

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120092145#Comment_120092145

What part are you disagreeing with exactly

CalamariFritti

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120092145#Comment_120092145

Never mind whether one is called Putin fanboy or not or whatever. No point opening a political discussion in here.

But surely what's going on there qualifies as hate speech ten times over so there must be a blind eye policy in place. I wonder does moderation at least has the balls to admit to it.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120091642#Comment_120091642

It's not better, neither are good (although a person would be hyper sensitive to get that bothered by being called woke or a snowflake - hardly along the same lines as being called a fascist or nazi for e.g. saying there may be problems with mass immigration).

Deja Boo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120092114#Comment_120092114

Are pressing for some kind of argument? Because I agree, as I said...

It's just something other forums have instituted, as an option for those who prefer being referred to by a specific pronoun to alleviate misunderstandings, if ever the need arises for pronoun usage on post.

And yes, in some forums we do refer to posters as people, not just addressing posts - we aren't attacking them, we are simply including them - can you appreciate the difference? As in game hosting (just to mention one forum of many), it is common; and, in general, "communications" can appear unduly repetitive and awkward if continually addressed by formal nouns alone .... Look, if you can't grasp the concept of why pronouns are used in any normal, engaging, communicative circumstance, then nothing I (lamely) say will ever convince you.... signing off thread (shaking head).

Gatling

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120092188#Comment_120092188

What you want is a special operation on the denazification of the threads....

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120092022#Comment_120092022

Deliberate misgendering is the main issue we have, and that attracts sanction

Good to know.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120091666#Comment_120091666

Not always true. There ARE those who say extremely hateful things - e.g. neo nazis and "incels".

(I'm not disagreeing that the people you mention exist - they absolutely do - but hate speech doesn't always just mean "views I don't like").

CalamariFritti

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120092203#Comment_120092203

Doesn't matter what I want. You either have rules against hate speech or you don't.

Jequ0n

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120092183#Comment_120092183

As explained before: the blanket statements against a whole nation, who are all collectively being branded because of the actions of some. If this was said about travelers there would be immediate bans.

Count Dracula

Thats really uncivil.

This business of posting something something blah blah ADD SANCTIMONIOUS GARBAGE HERE and then continuing " I am out " or " that 's all I saying on the subject"

It is the equivalent of leaving the room with your fingers in both your ears yelling " nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nnnn nah n nahn nah..."

Gatling

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120092222#Comment_120092222

Russian soldiers aren't the whole nation