Censorship on MyDesert.com
Palm Springs, California. I've been a regular blogger on The Desert Sun's website MyDesert.com since August, 2007. And I frequently repost blogs from this site to my Observer account on the MyDesert site.
Over the years I've occasionally noticed statements posted on MyDesert.com alleging censorship of comments and blogs is practiced by those responsible for administration of the website. The usual reason for removal of postings is violation of the terms of service policies regarding permitted content. However, some claim it's not always clear whether justified removal or actual censorship occurs for website management does not have a good track record when it comes to providing explanations for removal actions they've taken.
I've now seen firsthand what I believe is an instance of censorship by MyDesert.com website administration. On Friday, February 4th I posted a blog titled "Fool all the people all the time?". It attracted six comments and remained on the system for several hours. Saturday morning I noticed the blog had disappeared from the website. Repeated attempts to learn why the blog was no longer on the system eventually produced a pass-the-buck response that "it must have been removed by a moderator" and "moderators are professionals". It was also suggested I review the blog, determine "what could have triggered the deletion and then re-post".
I've reviewed the blog. In my opinion the blog contains nothing that should have triggered deletion by a system moderator. A copy of the blog has been provided to website administration with a request for clarification indicating what portion violated the terms of service policies. No explanation has been forthcoming.
A copy of the original "Fool all the people all the time?" blog appears on this website below this one.
Bond Shands
Palm Springs
Over the years I've occasionally noticed statements posted on MyDesert.com alleging censorship of comments and blogs is practiced by those responsible for administration of the website. The usual reason for removal of postings is violation of the terms of service policies regarding permitted content. However, some claim it's not always clear whether justified removal or actual censorship occurs for website management does not have a good track record when it comes to providing explanations for removal actions they've taken.
I've now seen firsthand what I believe is an instance of censorship by MyDesert.com website administration. On Friday, February 4th I posted a blog titled "Fool all the people all the time?". It attracted six comments and remained on the system for several hours. Saturday morning I noticed the blog had disappeared from the website. Repeated attempts to learn why the blog was no longer on the system eventually produced a pass-the-buck response that "it must have been removed by a moderator" and "moderators are professionals". It was also suggested I review the blog, determine "what could have triggered the deletion and then re-post".
I've reviewed the blog. In my opinion the blog contains nothing that should have triggered deletion by a system moderator. A copy of the blog has been provided to website administration with a request for clarification indicating what portion violated the terms of service policies. No explanation has been forthcoming.
A copy of the original "Fool all the people all the time?" blog appears on this website below this one.
Bond Shands
Palm Springs
Posted by Desert Observer at 3/9/2011 12:54 PM 
Categories: Opinion, The Desert Sun
Tags: The Desert Sun MyDesertcom Censorship
Categories: Opinion, The Desert Sun
Tags: The Desert Sun MyDesertcom Censorship
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