Why aren’t moderator actions transparent..

Why aren’t moderator actions transparent? If everything is fair and above board, and I believe it is*, why cant actions be known to paying, and non paying members? By transparent I mean when someone is being charged with an infraction or a rules violation why couldn't the process be made public if more than one moderator is involved?

I think a transparency would make for a happier membership, as well as reduce stress for the moderators, and would improve the moderation process.

* I feel there may be one or two at most mods may be a bit biased and would hope that the transparency would lend incentive to curb that tendency.

Rev A

 

I believe if you go to a person’s profile page, they have a tab for infractions. I have one and I beleive anyone can see it. It tells you why and which mod gave it.

 

we do not discuss actions against other members , it has always been our rule

 

I may be wrong, but I'm 99% certain that you can't see other members' infraction tab.

 

Would you be OK with half the posts being complaints about the moderation?

 

You probely are...right that is

 

I belong to a few forums where no violating posts are deleted, but all members are able to tell what post has received a warning or infraction.

Other forums put a red or yellow card below your name, but you don't know which post got them the card. I don't know how well it works as I am not behind the scenes on any of those forums, but it would be interesting to know if such a thing does work.

 

That would be a start. I suppose that I feel that a system of transparency would promote good behavior from the members and the mods. Again and as I have said in the past I feel we have one of the most fair sites on the web, and the best mods, but I have to say that conditionally now.

RevA

 

Yes I am aware of that. But is that a good reason to keep it that way ie 'it has always been our rule'?

Rev A

 

I think the members being infracted would support such a system. It was put into place primarily to hide the actions of the moderators for what ever reasons, probably so members would not single out the most ahhh' active moderators. While it may help moderators, it's detrimental to those being infracted IMO. If the members privacy was really an issue the public exposure could be selective.

Rev A

 

I can actually see a few positives in this. Its not that bad an idea, actually...

 

In the same way that transparency in government would ensure fairness. eh? Additionally in serious actions the exposure would not be selective if I could design it. All moderator actions would be open to the public, the group deciding on bannings or etc, like min of a court. The PMs etc, just as member PM's are not really private and are open to the staff to read the moderators PMs etc would be public record. Of course I see more advantages to members than mods but both would benefit from such a thing. That's not all a internet court system should be set up, just like the USA court system for serious issues such as banning long term members. We all know someone that was banned even mods themselves are routinely banned. And how many times have we heard this; "Why are you so upset its only the internet!" Well some people put a big chunk of their time and work into the site that they love, members included. I mean some people get arbitrarily banned that have been loyal to a site for ten years or more! I have seen such bannings desvate some people while others just flip the site the bird and join another site.

So I feel that due to the gravity and pain that a banning can cause the banned etc be they mods or lowly members need and are entitled to a recourse. A court type thing would protect all of us...but I digress. Maybe I need to set up a site and employ my ideas...ha ha, mod compensation and even paid a very small stipend, either in cash or store goodies. A court system etc etc...however I am too impatient to build a site. I have tried it and it bores me to death waiting on membership to creep up... Does anyone know of a good one with an established membership for sale?

Rev A

 

Absolutely terrible idea, RA. Sorry.

 

I agree , I feel this is RA 's way of policing the Mods . Trust me we all police ourselves back here , that is why infractions and bans are reversed . none of us are afraid to correct a mod when they have done it wrong .

 

The system of checks and balances as outlined is sufficient. Indicating someone's infraction status might effectively encourage goading by other members to trip further penalties. Rather than whining about penalties incurred, modifying one's behaviour is the sensible response.

 

That is correct. A member can only see his/her own infraction tab.

 

Actually I'm inclined to believe my "lying eyes" instead, thanks anyway.

 

no Koolaid for me!

a good hint that you have a mod that is a bit out of control is when you see her/him deleting enmasse posts from a forum/thread that she/he is very active in and has a public stance on...especially if the only posts deleted are members who are on the opposite side of her/his positions.

since no 'infractions' are issued, the member can't appeal..and the other mods view it as "well no harm no foul, you weren't given any points so why complain?"

well you complain because it kills discussion, demotivates people from posting AND ruins your online reputation if other see page after page of posts being deleted for random 'off topic', 'flamebaiting', 'trolling', etc..

it's a form of bullying.