Why so many deleted posts?: In my... - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

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Why so many deleted posts?

Qualipop profile image
49 Replies

In my digest this morning there were 5 posts that had been deleted. One or two seemed to mention that unacceptable word but only as a side comment; others were asking advice about things like an ECG and one the other day was a lady who had lost her husband. I can't see anything that could make them unsuitable. Is there a big problem or is someone just being over zealous in banning posts? I understand no discussion on the C word but the rest seemed to have nothing to do with it. It worries me that people can't ask for help when they need it. In the years I've been a member I have never ever seen so many posts deemed unacceptable.

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49 Replies
Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star

Maybe the original poster deleted the post ?

Or Admin removed the post if medical advice or a diagnosis was given?

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply to Milkfairy

Possible but why not just remove the unsuitable reply instead of the whole post? Today there seemed to be far too many.

10gingercats profile image
10gingercats in reply to Qualipop

The same thing occured to me.

Dear Qualipop,

Without opening a can of worms , this is why social media { face book etc } is so much more popular.

They are hard to regulate { even though many are trying } so many can speak their minds , not always a good thing but isn’t that what freedom of speak is all about? Or is it….

I think that it has been many years since complete freedom of speak has been just that……free.

It’s disturbing how we are monitored now, I say disturbing but judging by the way people seem to embrace this without a fight, maybe it’s not so disturbing as I think.

Today it’s all about protecting the innocent, so we are told, surely I was innocent once, then I grabbed at all that I could of the world with its diversity and knowledge and lived the best and fullest life I could.

If anyone thinks black is white I would love to hear your side of how that is so, for I strongly believe that you have the right to tell me that.

As for this forum, I personally think that they are very fair with what they allow to be posted on here.

They allow a wider umbrella of subjects to be posted than most specialist sites do,

I have found both the site and the majority of members to be helpful and knowledgeable and maybe like me they just want to give something back.

Would I feel the same if I was vetted/censored? Maybe not , but I don’t use this forum to change the world.

I use this forum to thank and spread my appreciation for all the help that has been given me in one of the strangest time of my life.

Take care,

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star in reply to

I found this statement from Amnesty International interesting.

amnesty.org.uk/free-speech-...

A right does come with responsibility.

This is a quote from Amensity International.

"Governments have an obligation to prohibit hate speech and incitement. And restrictions can also be justified if they protect specific public interest or the rights and reputations of others."

It's a fine line, however some posts are taken down if they do not reflect the ethos or guidelines of the forum.

Hopefully the forum should be a safe place where we can share our experiences and support others without judgement with compassion and kindness.

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply to Milkfairy

Hopefully the forum should be a safe place where we can share our experiences and support others without judgement with compassion and kindness.

That's what I feel has always been the case and is why I asked the question. What's changed? Why all the vanishing posts? Wouldn't it be better to send perhaps a warning to the poster and just block any further comments than remove the entire thing. That way we could see what's so unacceptable that it had to be removed? Apart from one which was obviously asking about C****, the bits I saw today of the original posts in the digest really don't appear to have anything objectionable.

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star in reply to Qualipop

🤷‍♀️

Kelling profile image
Kelling in reply to Milkfairy

With the greatest respects to everyone, how on earth can this place be a place of freedom do discuss concerns and worries about one's own health without the benefit of being able to discuss the elephant in the room. The past two years have affected us all, in good health or bad and has been the great leveller between every human being on this planet - and we cant talk about it? - pardon me saying it, that is ridiculous, high handed and unnecessary. Its is not the subject I suspect but the so called experts that cause the problem when in discussion with someone who has actually walked that situation and therefore should have a sympathetic voice. The forum has a duty of care I would think and if there are people out there who want to discuss "that pandemic" and how it has affected them, then the post should run. Anything else is really not on and not by definition, "free speech"

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star in reply to Kelling

I suggest you discuss the issue with BHF admin.

As hosts they have a duty of care to all the forum members.

Kelling profile image
Kelling in reply to Milkfairy

Well how can one judge whether it is a duty of care issue if the posy is cancelled before one can view it? The question here is one of freedom of speech and a live topic that is affecting every single one of us, even ow we are dealt with during hospital visits. Qualipop wrote "should be a safe place where we can share our experiences and support others without judgement with compassion and kindness" I mirror that statement knowing that anything else is not freedom of speech

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star in reply to Kelling

Hi Kelling,

Those are actually my words that Qualilop is quoting you will see them written in my reply to her in the thread.

"Hopefully the forum should be a safe place where we can share our experiences and support others without judgement with compassion and kindness"

BHF admin deletes or blocks threads. I suggest you discuss your concerns with them .

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply to Kelling

Those were milkfairy's words. I was just quoting and agreeing with them.

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply to Kelling

Well said.

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply to

You said "I personally think that they are very fair with what they allow to be posted on here. ". I always felt that was the case but now II couldn't comment because there are so many posts I don't get to see at all. I belong to only two groups on social media. Both dog groups. One is very gently supervised with only one rule- NO advertising of pups. It's a pleasure to read some of the discussions. Any I don't agree with I just pass by. The other group is constantly banning people and deleting posts even when people are asking for advice. I rarely look at that one as the site owner just has to be in control and only allows what she likes. It's a fine line to tread.

Heather1957 profile image
Heather1957

If people want to use places like FB so they can post uncensored please carry on, I for one have enjoyed being on here lately. I get sick and fed up of people using 'free speech' so they can spout misinformation.

If it causes controversy this is not the place for it.

Just using free speech!!

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply to Heather1957

Completely agree but why should a devastated lady's post be taken down for reporting back that her husband had got his angel wings? Only the pervious day she'd begged for support. I've no idea whether the replies turned nasty but her post certainly wasn't. spouting misinformation. I think there had been 12 replies before it was taken down. It just seemed cruel.

Heather1957 profile image
Heather1957 in reply to Qualipop

I responded to that post I wasn't aware it turned nasty or that it was taken down.

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply to Heather1957

I don't know that it turned nasty; it was taken down before I could see it b ut there must have been a reason. I felt so sad for the poor lady.

in reply to Qualipop

I think you mean this one, if so then it is still active.

healthunlocked.com/bhf/post...

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply to

That was her original post yes but her reply the next day saying he'd lost his fight and passed away was removed.

Lezzers profile image
Lezzers in reply to Qualipop

I think you'll find it's just a glitch in the system at the moment rather then censorship. I can't see the post about the lady who's husband passed away but if you follow gaz_chops link her other post is visible. Maybe the lady took the post down as everytime someone commented it would send her a notification and perhaps she found that hard to deal with. Maybe report any glitchs to admin.

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply to Lezzers

Gaz's link is to he original post which I did get but her follow up next day was removed.

Lezzers profile image
Lezzers in reply to Qualipop

I know, that's what I said. Maybe the lady took the post down herself, maybe she found it upsetting with the constant notifications everytime someone commented, there was a lot of comments. Perhaps you could reach out to her via PM?

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply to Lezzers

That's possible. I did comment on her original post but that was just one example today for which I could see neither rhyme nor reason for them disappearing

Lezzers profile image
Lezzers in reply to Qualipop

Probably best to ask admin, I don't think anyone here will know the answer.

in reply to Heather1957

Dear Heather1957

I really don’t think you have to worry about free speech, it really does not exist anymore and maybe never really did.

But we will maintain it did and still does, for we must have a reason for so many dead that were told they fought for it.

Take care

1 of mine just got deleted 🤣

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply to

I hope it is just a glitch then because if it is, it looks to be a big problem. I wonder if hey set up an algorithm that deletes anything with a certain word in it because all the removed posts this morning had nothing apparently objectionable in the short pieces that appeared in the digest.

There was one person saying their consultant had changed and did anyone know anything about his new consultant Dr. X . Asking for opinions about an individual is against the guidelines which seems fair to me.

Alison_L profile image
Alison_L in reply to

I don't think that one was removed. The admins just turned off the ability to reply.

Pollypuss profile image
Pollypuss

I think many of us are in different stages of our recovery when we do a posting and If we are still in pain or feeling a sense of shock and even anger it may be reflected in what we have to say which is understandable

fixedrider profile image
fixedrider

I've been involved in moderating other forums, not connected with this system. I have no knowledge of anything that's happened here, so please take my comments as general.

There can be various reasons. As above, posters may choose to remove their own messages. If so, replies tend to go too, not least because they simply get "orphaned" and have nowhere to fit into the system.

Some posts may conflict with the ethos of a forum. In general, forums are provided by their owners under the terms that those owners set. Whilst moderators will want to encourage open discussion, as a broad statement, the provider of a forum has the right to determine what appears, and free speech does not really apply as a strict principle.

Finally, spam and other malicious content is a problem in many forums, and there are versions of this in which the spammers copy earlier genuine posts, as a way of getting real-looking material. Obviously the intention there is to make the post look genuine in every way, including getting responses.

Hope these thoughts help.

tunybgur profile image
tunybgur

Unfortunately if you scan through the content on many other social forums, some of the comments are really foul and abusive, the consequence of giving people the ability to comment anonymously.

The purpose of this forum is to give help and advice from personal experiences to people, many of whom are low and in poor health, who are often just looking for comfort and understanding.

Differing opinions are fine, but keeping it friendly and informed is essential.

HRH8591 profile image
HRH8591

Having a complicated medical background I am a member of a number of groups. This is by far the worst for deletion/censoring of posts. I find it unacceptable too.

Heather1957 profile image
Heather1957 in reply to HRH8591

Good job you belong to a number of groups then. This is the only group I belong to regarding my health and am more than happy with the censorship (as little as it is) I find those who have the biggest issue are the people who want to post about the one subject they have been asked NOT to discuss and that is because there is too much mis information posted. Not difficult to understand why really.

If people want support they certainly get it from here.

HRH8591 profile image
HRH8591 in reply to Heather1957

Interesting reply. It certainly isn't a good job having a number of conditions and so I'd have to disagree with your statement and question your comment. Some perhaps need to get used to the idea that it is okay to have different views as indeed is the case with science and is just as it should be. That is what science is, all about learning and a changing picture and this will certainly go on. The difference as I see it is that some of us want to know. Simple as that, no awful people just want a broader version. I am now tired of these conversations and I know you for one said some weeks ago you were going to pass and not comment. But you haven't. I think your intentions were the healthier choice. I am not for either side (for it has sadly become sides) scaremongering and the distribution of nonsense or censoring useful info and experiences. Everyone is not a liar.

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply to HRH8591

I understand the ban on posts about vaccinations but none of the deleted posts appeared to have anything like that and they certainly were not spam. There were far too many that day for normal. Just block replies instead of taking posts down.

Cat04 profile image
Cat04

buddy2blue 's post disappeared too presumably because she mentioned the c word, just when she most likely needs the support of this group. Not good enough HU!

gladliz profile image
gladliz in reply to Cat04

I noticed that one too, and thought it strange but she did mention that her Dad had the 'C' word. That seemed to be as far as the post went, trying to open it further got an error message. Hope she is ok, but it will probably ruin her Christmas because of isolation ruling. Poor Tori.

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply to gladliz

Of all people to be blocked, that really is dreadful. She really does need our support.

Lilypocket profile image
Lilypocket

Yes I have noticed the " Oops this post is not available" have become more frequent too 🤔Quite a few posts recently have deviated from the original topic and in some cases become a bit of a two- way heated discussion. Maybe admin. has stepped in?

Cat04 profile image
Cat04

They've just done it again to buddy2blue 's next post. 😡

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply to Cat04

It looks as if they have set up an algorithm to remove anything at all that uses the C word> If so, it's not working. and is ruining the forum.

Heather1957 profile image
Heather1957

Time to move on or leave.

Handel profile image
Handel

Hi Qualipop. I was a bit disappointed to see Buddy2Blue's post had been deleted as we hadn't heard from her for a long time and it seemed like she needed some support from her forum friends.

Hope you have a lovely Christmas and brilliant 2022. Jan xxxx

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply to Handel

Makes me worry about her. Why can't hey just block replies so people can still read the post and reply privately if they wish>

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop

JUst tried to message Buddy2BLue and her name isn't coming up anywhere at all; it looks as if she's been completely blocked when she obviously needs support. Does anyone know how to contact her in case I'm getting her user name wrong? This is getting ridicuolus now. I've written to one of the mods asking what's going on

tunybgur profile image
tunybgur

Why on earth would anyone use the c word on this site?

Itzallgood1 profile image
Itzallgood1

Or maybe some of these people encountered rude people/comments and take their post down. I have done that on other forums here and gotten a bad comment from someone so I just took the whole post down. Hate to say it but it does happen. I even gotten messages from people who say I'm the bad one.

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