Feedback thread for Radio Forum

Big Bag of Chips · 01-02-2025 09:43AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123121982#Comment_123121982

You asked questions in your post. I answered the questions in my reply.

Leg End Reject · 02-02-2025 12:49PM

We're looking at updating the charter and what I can see personal abuse of other posters by a minority of posters has been an issue. This is designed to inflame posters into responding and getting warned.

Would you all agree that this is an issue?

Peter Dragon · 02-02-2025 02:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123126756#Comment_123126756

Absolutely. I’ve mentioned it both in the main thread and above as an issue.

odyssey06 · 02-02-2025 04:32PM

"personal abuse of other posters by a minority of posters has been an issue. This is designed to inflame posters into responding and getting warned."

For sure an issue.

Leg End Reject · 02-02-2025 04:44PM

The plan is to clamp down on it, even vague references like "some people here are X". If abuse is directly at another poster remember to just report it and ignore. The report will be looked at and actioned, just remember it might take time for one of us to see it.

Slideways · 02-02-2025 06:26PM

By far the biggest issue in the Radio forum is that posters are abusing public figures and defaming them with impunity.

Whenever anyone brings that up or challenges the posters involved they’re given a warning by the admits and the moderators. The moderators in the forum have completely given up on moderating and it’s been completely lawless in there for years.

I’ve been a poster on boards for umpteen years and was even a moderator in the Radio forum for about 18 months and there was always a general rule that even public figures could not be abused.

For whatever reason, that rule is ignored in the Radio forum. Presenters are constantly jeered at for their accents, their appearance, and ultimately they are defamed. False, damaging, libellous claims are made about certain public figures on the Radio forum every single day of the week.

Nobody is above criticism, least of all certain RTÉ presenters suckling on the public teat, but there is fair criticism and there is unfair criticism. The discourse in the Radio forum constantly veers into unfair criticism. Who decides what is unfair, you might ask? Well, show the solicitors who represents boards.ie the kind of posts people publish in the Radio forum every single day and they will very quickly tell you, once they’ve finished picking up their jaws from the floor.

A few of the moderators in this thread are trying to brush all of this under the carpet: they’re claiming that the problem is between the posters on “both sides” (whatever that means), and that the real issue is flame wars between ordinary critics of radio programmes and trolls. Any deviation from that incorrect diagnosis has been welcomed with warnings and threats of being banned.

The rot is far deeper than that and it all stems from personal abuse towards radio presenters. Either stop the abuse towards radio presenters or let it go and stop complaining when it does descend into flame wars. Ultimately certain public figures will have the whole site shuttered after they sue boards.ie for libel so in a few years it won’t matter anyway.

The forum should be moderated, or it shouldn’t.

Allinall · 02-02-2025 06:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123127899#Comment_123127899

+1.

There are plenty of suggestions in this thread to clamp down on abuse of other posters.

No mention (that I can see) of clamping down on abuse of presenters, which absolutely does happen.

DaithiMa · 02-02-2025 07:44PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123127899#Comment_123127899

Any examples of 'libelous' or 'defamatory' posts? My guess is that this forum would be closed in a flash if there was any sign of legal action.

As far as I'm aware it's not libelous to have the opinion that a radio presenter (or any other public figure) is crap at their job.

Peter Dragon · 02-02-2025 07:51PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123127908#Comment_123127908

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123127899#Comment_123127899

I completely disagree that libellous things are said every single day. Granted I’m on boards less than 6 months but I don’t see it. It’s very rarely I believe that line is crossed.

I do have to ask if a person behaves in fear posters believes a staged or “fake” manner that invites criticism can they not be called out on this?

Where is the line folks? I’m genuinely asking here and promise I’m not trolling by asking.

If I say for example “X is a complete twat” is that crossing the line in your opinion?

Or if I say “in my opinion X is behaving like a twat?” is that ok in your eyes?

They’re both essentially saying the same thing, but are quite different legally - or so I was once told by a solicitor acquaintance of mine (this exact example btw. We were discussing a particular prominent sporting individual at the time.

I’m not in the legal profession so can’t comment on the accuracy of the above, I’m merely relaying what I was told at the time.

To the note general point on “abuse”, these people are not above criticism. Who decides what is criticism and what is abuse? If the criticism is valid can it be called abuse? Lots of questions here.

Allinall · 02-02-2025 07:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123128210#Comment_123128210

Disingenuous in the extreme.

You know the answers to your own questions.

Playing the innocent doesn’t work.

Example. Criticism is not the same as abuse.

Peter Dragon · 02-02-2025 08:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123128218#Comment_123128218

I’m sorry but my post was not disingenuous.

I’m not “playing the innocent”. I am asking questions.

What someone considers abuse might be considered by many to be valid criticism, regardless of how harsh some might see it. There is a lot of subjectivity around this topic.

odyssey06 · 02-02-2025 10:52PM

There is a thread in After Hours titled People you inexplicably cant stand. Link below. I invite mods, admins to review its recent content.

Is it criticism? It is abuse? Why does the difference matter and how subjective is that decision?

Context of this feedback relates to the current radio forum charter - why are radio presenters deemed worthy of special protections in the radio forum when the same standard isnt applied elsewhere on Boards, and that can include Irish radio, TV, sports, entertainment, political figures.

And if such protections are required - it goes way beyond just the radio forum.

Here is the thread:

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2057738534/who-is-someone-you-inexplicably-cant-stand/p292

Peter Dragon · 02-02-2025 11:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123128759#Comment_123128759

I did point out a similar analogy re. sports star and managers. Some of the things said about certain sports stars and managers on the GAA, rugby, and football threads for example go far beyond the criticisms levelled at radio presenters on this site. What is the difference?

Big Bag of Chips · 03-02-2025 10:09AM

There should be no abuse of anyone, anywhere on the site. But negativity is now so ingrained in people, they find it incredibly difficult to post without it!

This is a very active forum. People have lots of opinions and seem to have ideas on how the forum should be run. Yet when I made it clear that bitching about other posters wasn't going to be tolerated on this feedback thread, the thread fell silent. Nobody could think of something constructive to add. Because the posters in this forum seem to have lost the skill of constructive discussion in favour of whinging and bitching. Sometimes that crosses a line into nasty, unnecessary comments about public figures. Yes, people in the public eye are open to comment and criticism, but the Terms of Use of the site and the forum charters still stand.

Moderation has been missing in the Radio forum for a while which allowed the forum to descend into a cesspit. There are moderators on board now who will be clamping down on that. The charter will be updated and the forum will be tidied up.

I expect some people will not be happy with this. We'll no doubt get complaints of censorship or bias. We simply ask all posters to consider what they are posting before posting it. And yes there is a difference between saying A is a twat, and, A is behaving like a twat.

But with active moderation it shouldn't take you too long to figure it out.

Anyone who really feels the need to post abuse about someone can always use their own platforms to get it out.

Peter Dragon · 03-02-2025 11:43AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123129586#Comment_123129586

I’m not trying to get into an argument but as this is the feedback thread I do think that post is unfair on those who have contributed in good faith to the discussion.

I also don’t think it’s fair to say no-one contributed after your warning, there are many posts that came after that.

Equally, I don’t think it’s fair to imply that everyone was engaged in sniping and “bitching” in this thread.

Some posters contributed, but many may not even be aware the thread is open - it’s only been there for a few days after all. I think there’s a lack of awareness about this, hence the low number of respondents.

Finally - a suggestion re. my last point - perhaps place a mod note on each of the most active radio threads (with a link) inviting posters to come to this thread with their feedback and suggestions. You’d only have to type it once then cut and paste into the maybe Top 10 threads. This might improve the response rate.

Big Bag of Chips · 03-02-2025 12:01PM

The thread is stickied at the top of the forum. We don't need to add a note to every thread. The moderators already have an idea of the direction the forum needs to go. Changes will be implemented. This thread will remain here for posters to have their say (without bitching!). Not all suggestions will be feasible but occasionally a good idea will come through.

Peter Dragon · 03-02-2025 12:42PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123129885#Comment_123129885

I understand that but I don’t think people navigate onto the main forum and then click into the thread they wish to visit, and therefore may be missing it and be unaware of it.

For example I personally click on notifications I receive re threads I’ve commented on and access that way. I’d assume most regular do the same, and therefore may miss anything “stickied”

it was just a suggestion to improve the visibility of this thread, that’s all.

Leg End Reject · 03-02-2025 06:04PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123127899#Comment_123127899

A few of the moderators in this thread are trying to brush all of this under the carpet: they’re claiming that the problem is between the posters on “both sides” (whatever that means), and that the real issue is flame wars between ordinary critics of radio programmes and trolls. Any deviation from that incorrect diagnosis has been welcomed with warnings and threats of being banned.

Again, nobody said anything of the sort. There's more than one issue with the forum, discussing one of them isn't a denial of the others.

squonk · 04-02-2025 09:51AM

Maybe a list of threads that deserve closer watch could be created. Things like the Liveline and Tubridy threads?

Personal opinion here. I was an active contributor in the Liveline thread the a while. After a while though I pulled back as I didn’t think it was a very healthy place. No doubt about it the show is a car crash and anyone with an interest in radio would want to comment but sometimes the comments get very personalised or it actually felt like standing on the shade of a road at an accident with a group of people who were there to have a laugh and make fun of the goings on.

roran · 04-02-2025 11:53AM

Firstly, I welcome any attempt to improve levels of debate on the radio forum ( I had given it up as a lost cause).

Discussion should be about improving radio program quality and not about presenter's pay, accent etc.

How to go about this when it feels like there are a clique hell bent on 'trolling' is going to be the challenge - so my best wishes to Mods!

Would it work that if, say, 5 subscribers felt another subscriber was either trolling/abusing a particular thread ethos, that they could issue individual 'thumbs down'. 5 thumbs down to trigger Mods to either either deal with this individual by starting their 'gripe' thread, or if 5 were acting malevolently, could ban all 5?

If you sort out this forum, successfully, I feel there will be more willing contributors on here. Good luck with endeavour!

Leg End Reject · 04-02-2025 12:43PM

There isn't a thumbs down feature, just report posts you feel are an issue.

Leg End Reject · 05-02-2025 03:23PM

The new charter is here:

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058393880/new-radio-charter-2025

Peter Dragon · 05-02-2025 05:42PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123137371#Comment_123137371

May I ask a question in relation to the above for the purposes of clarity?

Does this interpretation mean we cannot comment positively or negatively (or indeed in any way comment) on anything a radio presenter publishes on their social media accounts, in the case of Ryan Tubridy in his London Diary, or behaves or does in public etc.; and only comments solely on the show itself or the presenter’s performance are now deemed acceptable?

Is this correct?

Leg End Reject · 05-02-2025 05:59PM

You can comment on social media posts in line with point 1 of the charter.

nonetheless · 05-02-2025 07:32PM

My thoughts on the charter are that points 2-8 are standard straightforward policies that can and should be adhered to.

However, in my opinion Point 1 of the charter is open to any interpretation:

In relation to a presenters performance their accent can and should be open to fair criticism as radio is supposed to be their profession - their ability to communicate effectively is extremely important. Because point 1 is so open to interpretation, ANY criticism of the subject whether it is directly related to radio, social media posts or publications can be referenced to support the opinion of a troll (or anyone) that a SPECIFIC poster has posted something that is "likely to cause offence". The reality is that anything can easily be interpreted as causing offence. In my opinion, this will result in the thread being choked to the point where it becomes a zombie or corpse type and in this particular case only becoming active when there is a RAJAR/JNLR release or there is news in relation to the subjects position.

Leg End Reject · 05-02-2025 07:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123138182#Comment_123138182

There's a thread for that.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058013888/poor-diction-by-radio-presenters

The Liveline thread is an example of taking it too far at times.

nonetheless · 05-02-2025 07:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123138199#Comment_123138199

Thanks but with all due respect it is not addressing my core question/concern.

Leg End Reject · 05-02-2025 08:01PM

Reports are only actioned when it's warranted, if anyone abuses the report function they will be referred to an admin. No one will be warned for posts that aren't defamatory, abusive or uncivil.

odyssey06 · 05-02-2025 08:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123138264#Comment_123138264

That doesnt address any specific question.

Posters being expected to be civil to each other is one thing and expected.

Is there now in Radio an obligation on posters to be civil towards public figures?

That has never been a standard on Boards as far as I know. It certainly does not apply eg on After Hours.

squonk · 05-02-2025 08:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123138292#Comment_123138292

This isn’t AH. There’s an expectation that you can comment on public figures with respect to their shows or appearances and discussion of how they present there shows etc. There is not an expectation that you will make personalised attacks on Radio personalities, or generally make derogatory comments about them or their families. It comes back to Dont Be. A Dick as is mentioned in the charter. Yes, if you aren’t civil, you might attract sone attention.

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