[Imc-uk-features] Hidden - What!!??

[D Olner]

Hey up,

Chris sez:

> I agree with the hiding of 295489 -- Indymedia is _not_ a
> free speech web site where anything goes 

Could you clarify - it's not a free speech website??  

Are you sure you mean that?  Do you mean 

a) Certain opinions will be hidden? e.g. ones that worry about the criminals in
our midst, that are too 'Daily Mail'?
b) Or do you mean it's not a portal for any ol' rubbish?

Very important difference. Not a free speech site??

Bill sez:
"well you could then argue that racism and other discriminatory views are
someone's opinion."

Yup, I would.

i don't deny that this is somebody's opinion - even though it reflects the
received wisdom of the Daily Mail and Express - but opinions such as these have
no platform IMHO on Indymedia."

Don't they? No platform? This means we don't listen, or try to understand the
opposite argument - and I know I keep on doing this, but here's some J.S. Mill
again - 

“He who knows only his own side of the case, knows little of that. His reasons
may be good, and no-one may have been able to refute them. But if he is equally
unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side; if he does not so much as
know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion.” On Liberty
104 

“If all mankind minus one were of one opinion, and only one person were of the
contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one
person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind.”
On liberty 85

Someone posting an opinion we don't like should be an opportunity for us to TEST
whether we actually do know why we oppose them! That's the pivot as to why IMC
(should) work for me - that comments can be added, arguments can be had!

Have I got this all wrong?

More thoughts?

Dan