I have a question that's been playing on my mind regarding the blog. Should students be free to make comments any way they like, as this is a student forum? Or are there some comments that shouldn't be entertained, as this is a blog associated with the school? (I speak not of any topic in particular - just in general). Your thoughts are welcome.Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Blog Censorship
I have a question that's been playing on my mind regarding the blog. Should students be free to make comments any way they like, as this is a student forum? Or are there some comments that shouldn't be entertained, as this is a blog associated with the school? (I speak not of any topic in particular - just in general). Your thoughts are welcome.
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Well, I believe that this really is up to the commenter him/her self. The commenter should know whether what he/she posts is appropriate or not considering that this is a school post. I have seen some posts earlier which I believe should not have been posted.
But if the blog censorship is enforced, I think that we wont really be able to express what's actually in our mind due to the fear of being censored.
But I really believe that it is up to the commenter to decide what to post and to phrase what he/she wants to say appropriately. Self-fish and inhuman comments should be banned.
Personally, I believe students should be allowed to speak their mind - say whatever they like,after all this is a place for you to get to know us and let us open up our minds to various topics.
However, i also think its important that students watch what they say since this is,afterall,your way of home assignments for us. I'm not saying people shouldnt speak their minds, but there's no reason to be rude or go against everything and anything anyone else says.
Sure, arguments are exciting to read, lol:P - but rude comments can always be put in a more polite manner. Oh and, ofcourse.. students shouldn't be swearing too much :P, or entertaining anger. Say what you like, people - but just keep in mind that it is after all a school blogsite and should be respected. Also, kindly take into perspective others ideas, if you can say what you like, so can someone else.
Just as Sonal S. said, the person posting should decide that by him/herself.One should first write whatever comes to his/her brain and then read it to make sure that the language and tone is acceptable.
We should all be allowed to make any sorts of comments but at the same time We should avoid too personal/selfish/nasty/bad comments.I think this is something We all know or should know that posting comments that might be censored will create a bad image on the writer, which no one will ever want so We all try to avoid it.But yeah, blog censorship, should not exist so that a full opinion of one is obtained from him/her.
Agreeing with the above comments.
Blog censorship will only be needed if people start taking offense from online typing. In my opinion, there is no need for censorship, because it will ruin commenters' views, since we are supposed to distribute our thoughts.
Anyway - it is Mr. Roberts decision.
I think it should be left to the students on how they choose to comment because then we'll get to know their point of views. But then again the comments should make sense and be appropriate.
The whole point of this blog is for us to express our views on different issues, and for you, Mr Roberts, to get to know the students better. In a way, censorship will be restricting the students from speaking their minds on a lot of matters. As Sonal has already stated, every individual commenting should be aware of the consequences, and should make sure they get their point across in a polite fashion. This is not a place for arguements, threats, swearing, and accusing others.
Now that this matter has actually been brought up, every student will probably open up their eyes more, and watch what they publish on the blog. If rude comments still continue, then yes, rightgully, they should be banned/deleted.
But then again, yes - Mr Roberts gets to decide.
As every above comment has stated, blogs should not be censored as this will pressurise the commentor into not revealing their honest opinions.
However I do believe that the commentors should keep in mind a certain rationalisation in their comments, as this is the school blog which is accessible by most of the school staff and teachers who would not take a rude comment lightly.
As students, we have a right to comment appropriately on any issue regarding the school. i'm sure the school will appreciate and take away with a discerning eye the views and concerns expressed by the students. As this is the 21st century, kids now days appreciate being treated as young responsible adults and i'm sure the school can sift out the good from the nonsense.
Personally, I think that the blogsite shouldn't be censored because it is only if we speak our minds that you as a teacher, and our fellow students will know us better. I have learnt more about the people who comment on the blogsite than in a year. But then again, you need to keep to a certain limit when it goes to commenting so publically. This is regarding other people's feelings and comments against countries or religions.
I think it depends on the student themselves. They should be able to speak they're minds without using foul language or any other topics which should be catogorised in the sensored area. As this is a school based blog. The things that we as students write or comment has to be controlled.
There are many ways to express ourselves. The way we comment says a lot about our personalities and the way we see the world around us. It also shows our aproach towards things. I am all for censorship towards the blog. But only if its not ridiculously censored :)
I agree with mo....blog censorship should only be used if one is to misuse his/her freedom to speak their mind
Well, not really much left for me to say, but I think that censoring should be a veto power with Mr.Roberts... everyone can write what they feel, it is upto sir if he wants to censor or not.. that way, you can still speak your mind, it's just it'll be cleaned up a bit if it's too inappropriate.. makes sense no?
I think we should be allowed to speak our minds without the fear of being punished for it later, but rudeness and out-of-line comments really should not be allowed and should be banned. However, yeah, we shouldn't be held for what we say. A lot of us have really strong opinions on certain topics that could be potentially controversial :/ Being punished for having a certain opinion is really not a pleasant thought.
So, yeah, I'm all for freedom of speech!
I agree with Ishita.. It's up to Mr Roberts if distasteful comments should be censored. People shouldn't be writting disrespectful comments anyways.
As long as the censhorship does not keep me from speaking freely and stating my intelligant opinions.
The blog is fine the way it is.
"If it ain't broke don't fix it"
A lesson we should all learn.
Hahahha
Nice, zaid
:P
In my opinion, students shouldn't be restricted on how they comment on the blogsite. Ofcourse students shouldn't be allowed to insult each other (getting personal) or use bad language. I think if you restrict students, they will not beable to express their thoughts fully.
I agree with Neiha “we should be allowed to speak our minds without the fear of being punished for it later”…………..though students should preclude using foul words.
I saw the "ad" in my arabic classroom for the English blogsite (Irony, heh heh). It said something about expressing oneself, well, this subject kind of defeats the purpose, doesn't it?
* preclude from using...
Yes, Daniel, by all means express yourself - but the question we are discussing here is the extent to which one may express oneself. Should there be limits or not?
Especially as a lot of people in the education field could end up reading the comments posted here.
Generally, I think high school students are wise enough to be able to evaluate whether a comment is decent enough to post. However, just because they know so, doesn't mean they always Do post only the decent posts. So far, I think no one has gone out of line. But, this being a school blogsite, I think there should be no censorship as to what they're allowed to say. Obviously foul language is unacceptable, but we already know that.
A certain comment could seem appropriate to one person , and not to another. SO how then do we decide whether or not it actually is appropriate? I think as long as the person never used offensive language, insulted nations, religion, beliefs, etc , or personally offended any other member on the blog site, then all opinions should be welcome, regardless what they advocate. Because if you don't get exposed to a different opinion on this blog site, you're bound to get exposed to it somewhere else sooner or later.
Nadine,
You say you don't want censorship, but then you have a list of things you think students shouldn't say or do. You're trying to have your cake and eat it too! : )
What I'd like to know is what should be done if a student uses foul language or insults another's culture or does things of that sort?
Well, I think you could use the Three-Strike thing we're subjected to in Maths? But the warnings should be replaced with detentions and stuff because it's a lot worse than just speaking up in class. :/ Something of the sort.
And, er, could you define "foul language"? Like what exactly are we prohibited from saying?
Neiha,
I don't want to be defining anything at this point - that's why I'm seeking the students' opinions.
Tell us how you would define foul language and whether it should be accepted on this blog.
Well, by foul language, I mean swear words, that's all. Generally, all the words you know a teacher would tell you off for saying in front of them.
Mr. Roberts,
I think any student can comment on a culture, or even people - as we spoke of Obama in one of the posts, but just don't insult. If you see something you find wrong, point it out, and back it with reason. Criticize, don't go around calling something or someone "stupid" for instance just because you don't agree.
If a student does insult, or use foul language, well I think the comment shouldn't be taken off, and other students should be allowed to respond. But I just don't think an offensive comment should've been posted in the first place. This is what I meant, to me , it shouldn't have been there. But if i happens to be, well, don't censor, but maybe point out that they need to a bit more respectful with their future comments.
Yes, but all im saying Mr. Roberts (I am not mock your judgements at all) but I believe ultimately the beauty of entirely free speech is to break free from all restrictions, while at the same time giving the CHOICE of basic decency to us. This is what I believe.
Norms, mores, rules can only be stressed to a particular extent, but the ultimate test, lies in whether how purely we can potray our thoughts without affecting any other element negatively. (If positivity can be radiated, so much the better)
I hear what you're saying Daniel. However, just two things:
1. Free speech is not absolute (no where in the world).
2. Same question I put to Nadine: what should we (as a blog community) do if someone makes racist, insulting, humiliating remarks in this forum?
i believe a person should be free to express himself as long as they are not hurting anyone's sentimental values or their culture and if they are doing so the blog site shouldn't be posting their comments up. The whole idea of commenting is to share each others point of view and understand things from different perspective (:
If anyone insulted my culture, I would be angry and would retaliate immediately. But that all depends on the student's personality - there are a lot of people that are milder than I am and they probably would just laugh it off.
On the one hand, it should be a matter between students, but on the other, a teacher should be able to put a stop to it if things get out of hand. The problem is, who decides that things have gotten out of hand? And how would you define that moment?
...
Are you sure this isn't another Thunk? Because I really can't think of a solid answer >:
Ha ha! Then, Neiha, you and I are sailing in the same boat. Because I'm not sure either : )
I'm against censorship passionately. I believe if someone says something I don't like, or insults someone I admire, or criticizes something I hold dear then I will either present reasons to contradict what the person said or, if the person is closed-minded, I'd ignore his comments.
However, my dilemma is that this is a school blog, I am a teacher, and parents, faculty members, and people anywhere in the world can read what's posted here.
Therefore, I am under constraints. I have obligations to meet and expectations to uphold.
Maybe you can implement the Three-strikes thing then? I mean, you've sort of been backed into a corner, haven't you?
I enjoy posting in this blog and if it means I need to endure having to keep my tongue - or fingers, in this case - under some degree of control, whatever. I don't mind :)
Neiha,
I don't expect to have to resort to the three-strikes rule - at least not for the students I teach. However, my major concern is about
a) students in school I don't teach, and
b) anonymous/external comments
:o I'm not very well-versed with how this particular blogsite works, but isn't there an option that allows you to moderate who can comment and who can't?
Neiha,
Oh, I can change the security settings and make it exclusive to students I choose. And if I feel the blog is being abused by outsiders then that's what I'll do. Also, I can easily delete comments I don't like. But the whole point of this post is to discuss whether I should. (I haven't done so thus far - because it wasn't necessary).
Well, I guess you could wait a bit more to see whether it's necessary, then act on it.
What about the rest of you guys? I don't want to hold a conversation with Mr. Roberts by myself |D;;
Pretty hard to answer this..
I think that in a good school there should be understanding between a teacher and a student so, for example, if the student was to make an extreme effect, they could use what is considered 'inappropriate' language and the teacher would consider it to be used for the effect.
Most of us have used words like 'hell' and 'damn'... but if one of us ever decided to use the f-word then we would either say f*** or not say it at all.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that in a good school the students would also know their limit.
this topic boils down to the fact that
there is a time and place to say everything
so people must exercise caution while trying to prove their points
some people get offended easily others dont .
so its basically about our personal reactions
but as a school blogsite
which is viewed by members of staff and other students and even parents .
the views expressed should be proved , but not with the use of harsh language
if people are looking to pick a fight , well then , they can take their anger out on a teddy bear of some sort or maybe those squishy stress balls.
well on this blog , i personally think that censorship isn't necessary ..but should be introduced if it is really needed
students know their do's and dont's
for this blog , or any other blog
acting out or throwing a fit on a blog is unnecessary and frankly, uncalled for and should be avoided , even if provoked to do so .
such problems can be settled in person.
To be honest i would be dissapointed if you censored comments, we should be allowed to speak freely as everyone else mentioned but yet again we should all know our own limits to what we write.
I think that people should be able to say whatever they want on a blog, as long as they aren't putting each other down. If they're opinion, or my opinion offends someone, then thats just to bad. One day were all going to be in the real world, where EVERYONE is a critic, and has their own opinions. My point basically, just don't continuously hate on each other.
Well, to achieve something we must keep our mind open. New ideas, new styles should be allowed and accepted. But there should be a limit to being liberal, since it's a school forum. But I think, the idea of being censored should be restrained as far as possible. But when it becomes absolutely necessary, only then should it be thought about.
Well,I think students should be allowed to say what they want but there is always a limit.Foul words shouldnt be used & students should'nt bring up religion or cultures.Otherwise anything else is okay :)
We should be given the liberty to express our views, opinions and thoughts on various topics… but few harsh, strong and sensitive comments might have to be censored.. on the whole I don’t feel there is a need to censor since we do mind our language and think before we put our thoughts as words
I agree to the fact that students should be allowed to speak their mind but they must remember that they are talking in a public forum and the language and tone that they use should be acceptable to everyone and they should put their point of view accross without hurting or offending anyone.
i thought the point of this forum is for us to be able to express our thoughts in any form of words, whether appropriate or not.
some students might find that they convey thoughts better in an informal language; perhaps using inappropriate language
but i clearly dont think its even remotely correct to be racist against someone on this site. sure, we all want to have free speech, but what people should think about is; would they like it if a racial or harsh comment was made towards them?
There has to be a limit to how much a student can express themself; it shouldnt step over the line that divides decency and over-expression.
BUT, in some cases, students need to express themselves properly and this can benefit them and the teacher too. The student may feel that they need to display their level of thinking and the teacher can assess the students personality from their comments.
People should be allowed to express their views on various topics. It is nice to read different point of views here. However the comments should not be disrespectful in any way. Offensive language should not be used and comments should be appropiate and to the point. I think it is fine if Mr.Roberts decides to delete a certain comment if he feels it is inappropriate.
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