Is it ok for AusBT to delete comments they don't like from news posts?

Is it ok for AusBT to delete comments they don't like from news posts? I commented this morning that their "Seven Tricks of Savvy Frequent Flyers" post had been recycled several times before (it has)and that it must be a slow news day. My comment was removed when I checked back later in the day. What are your thoughts?

This too will never get old.

TruffleQueen: please see "New AusBT commenting policy" which AusBT editor David posted earlier this week.

In it he says: "I'm going to start coming down a lot stronger on comments which don't add any real value to an article. I'll always look at this from the perspective of a reader, especially a newcomer to the AusBT fold who may have come in from Google or such. If as a 'reader' I see a comment which doesn't really add any value to the article or the comments-based discussion, that comment will stand a good chance of being deleted."

I think deleting your comment would be in line with this. If your comment 'added value' to the story by discussing some of those 'tricks' or suggesting new ones would have stayed, but honestly do you think a comment which has nothing to do with the topic but makes a pointless observation and criticism of AusBT really has much point to it?

Sorry Al but I have to disagree with you here. I too believe it must have been a slow news day. The article has been recycled at least 4 or 5 times over the last 6 months and I think the comment was worthwhile in bringing to abt's attention that we are aware that it has been recycled quite a bit. I think a more appropriate course of action would have been a response to TruffleQueen's post outlining the reason for the running of the article again.

I don't think AusBT 'owes' anybody an explanation for things like this, and I think it's a bit lame to criticise AusBT for repeating an article like that one which is not going to date (unlike a lot of 'news' articles) and which is probably more useful to outsiders than those of us who visit AusBT every day. We get this great website for free, nobody pays, and yet there is an expectation that AusBT has to justify its decisions to us and that people can criticise them for repeating a useful article every now and again? Maybe you can email David and contribute some articles instead of sitting and whining that it must be a 'slow news day'.

Al, I agree that ABT doesn't owe anybody an explanation or justify its deceisionsbut I thought TruffleQueen's comment was a valid point - maybe could have been expressed differently but hey. Maybe I should have rephrased my arguement differently,  I also see your point on outsiders possibly finding it more useful than those of us who look at ABT every day, but I think that is why TQ made made comment originally, having seen the article rehashed again. Yes ABT is a great free website and David and friends do a wonderful job with articles which have given all of us a better understanding of issues etc but I don't think they are above criticism when warranted. I don't mind articles being rehashed every so often but this one has been done more than now and again. If I had the knowledge, ability and time that David and colleagues have to write an article which would be of value to all I certainly would email it in to them. Just remember Al that opinions are like noses, everyone has one and we don't always agree with one anothers. I look forward to future sparring sessions.

History shows that non-moderated forums are doomed. Period. However I hope that moderators here have sense of what is right and what is wrong. Personally I never strike anything “funny”

Yes, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are all doomed because they're not moderated. What 'history' are you talking about?

I actually should say "public forum" – closed forums may behave differently. Try to post porno on youtube and see what happens. I do not participate to Facebook and Twitter, but pretty much sure that any racists, anti-homosexual or similar post will be wiped off.

4chan did that. All hell broke loose. #im12andwhatsthis

Extremist pages on Facebook thrive, but on Twitter they get directly ridiculed.

Tough one.

But personally I feel an article with ZERO comments speaks volumes. It's the equivalent of "not feeding the trolls".

Perhaps the best way to react is not to react? :)

I refer to AusBT and Davids statements that certain posts will deleted if the do not meet standards considered in appropriate by AusBT,and or do not add to a discussion/personal attacks.While i agree with some moderation by you,i see little in the way of personal attacks,just great robust debate...and that what makes AusBT and your site what it is.Do not forget that David.

I like many make comments and i am sure there are those who do not agree with me just as i do not agree with some others.If you are big enough and ugly enough to post,cop it...get out of it if not.Are we now in a situation where posts will be erased or is c-ship now in vogue. 

Let's not confuse moderation with censorship.  Moderation removes material that will be seen as offensive by a majority of readers. Censorship removes material thought to be inappropriate to an editorial policy, advertising affiliation, political outlook or personal opinion. Both involve a value judgment. The problem is that we the readers will never know what has been removed from our consideration, or why.  We have to trust that ABT will not censor, only moderate.  Let's hope that trust will not be abused nor found to be misplaced.

Very good point about censorship v moeration of comments.  I cannot see this site censoring comments though.  We are talking about a website that informs about flights domestic and international flights targetted at or used by Australian residents.  We are not talking about an extreme left or right wing political party with sinister objectives.  I think we can trust ABT to be reasonable.

Sounds like an insurance ad. Control ZED