Every so often, the LDV team looks at how we do things. We think about how we want to run the site in a way that we can all be comfortable with.
We’ve had a look at our editorial policy and we have agreed to make some changes which reflect our current practice.
We have never aligned ourselves with any supposed wing or faction of the party, which is a good thing as they change all the time. We’ve published a wide range of articles and viewpoints, many of which we personally disagree with, because we want to facilitate debate within the party and with others outside it. That will continue to be the case..
Much is said about free speech. It’s something that we very much value. It also includes our freedom as editors to run the site in a way that fits with our ethos.
Nobody has the right to have anything they want published on LDV or anywhere else. We will judge articles on their merit and decide whether they will be a good fit for us.
There are some issues, though, which go way beyond the normal rough and tumble of political debate.
We’ve always felt a sense of responsibility that our site should stand up for vulnerable people. We don’t want to contribute to the often toxic atmosphere that is present in much of the media where groups of people, whether they be, for example, social security claimants, immigrants, disabled people, LGBT people, or followers of one religion or another are demonised.
The way those marginalised groups are treated is not consequence free. Whipping up a storm against vulnerable people on the basis of who they are makes it more difficult for them to live their lives freely without fear and damages their life chances. We want no part in that.
So that means that sometimes we either have to pick a side or be part of the problem. We will do so when we think it necessary to make our site a kinder, progressive place.
Our revised policy reads (with changes in bold):
Lib Dem Voice does not belong to any
supposed winggroup in the party. It is a neutral platform where the views of all members are welcome, both as articles and comments. The site’s editorial teamcomprisesincludes a diverse range of party members, each of whom is free to put forward their own views while maintaining an overall balance of coverage. As a group, we prize freedom of speech and this includes our editorial freedom.Nobody, in or out of the party, has a right to be published on LDV. Articles are judged on merit and topicality.
Articles and comments which may contribute harm to marginalised groups will not be published. We will not allow a toxic atmosphere which fosters prejudice and discrimination.
There are occasions when people have to pick a side and we will do so when we consider it necessary to make our small bit of the world a kinder, more progressive place.
16 Comments
Sounds good to me.
Well said. Go on! Best Wishes LDV!
Good to see.
We’re not nor should we be free speech absolutists.
Hate speech or speech which seeks to belittle others, especially minority communities, should never be acceptable.
Looks good to me. There are times when trying to be neutral doesn’t make sense.
I sincerely wish you had chosen to say “we will do so when we consider it necessary to make our small bit of the world a kinder, more liberal place”. The view that everything that is called progressive is kinder is sadly not always true.
A welcome move. I wish more people would realise that “free speech” does not equate to the right of the already powerful to demand a platform on whatever medium they desire.
Shouldn’t have needed to be said, but given that it *did* need to be said, I’m glad you’ve said it.
This sort of clarity is very helpful, and a really good example of how to set a good moderation policy. I applaud the site admins for this.
Well said LDV! Very clear and principled.
JS Mill would be proud of you. Freedom of Speech is never an absolute and it’s really time our party made that clear at all levels. Hate speech of any kind or views designed to ferment hatred and prejudice can never be supported. It’s not a time for absolutism.
As one of the editorial team I’d also like to stress that if anyone is worried they lack the skill or language ability to write for us for any reason please don’t be.
As someone who is dyslexic and dyspraxic I understand the fear of not being able to express yourself as well as you might want to due to disability or lack of confidence in written English for any reason.
We judge on merit of your argument and we will work with you to help you craft your article to give it the best reception we can- that’s what editors are for!
Mick Taylor:
For John Stuart Mill free expression of ideas is very close to an absolute, though he would distinguish between the ideas and how and in what circumstances they are expressed and he certainly rejects any right to not be offended. The limits to free speech depend upon foreseeable consequences such as whipping up an excitable crowd into a frenzy. Of course we can never know how he would have responded to the darkest manifestations of hate speech in the century after his death. In general Mill was very clear about the value or utility of considering and responding to erroneous ideas
In this context I am more concerned about the ‘editorial freedom’. Although LDV is an independent site, in the name of Liberal Democrat Voice, it does appropriate the name of the Party. This being so, the platform’s editorial freedom should not be considered as unconstrained. In its name it is unofficially representative of the Party and of its members; when it makes decisions it needs to take this responsibility on board.
It is unclear to me why these changes have been deemed necessary (Is there some kind of backstory to tell or perhaps to keep quiet about?) and what, if anything, will change as a result?
On some of the days I am lead editor (currently Thursday), I spend almost as much time dealing with comments as I do writing and editing articles. We read every comment, whether pre-moderated or not. We believe in freedom of speech but not the freedom to abuse others in any way. People have the right to live their lives how they wish if that doesn’t cause harm to others. Harm here does not include offending someone’s moral, religious or other values, providing comments are not made in an abusive way. It is not an easy task at times and we have extensive debates among the editorial team about where the line should be drawn.
But liberal values can only thrive in a tolerant society and we aim to ensure that LDV is a tolerant space for discussion. We won’t publish intolerant articles or comments whether they are by Lib Dem members or others. I am always surprised how many comments we get that don’t come from a Liberal Democrat or liberal perspective.
As for LDV representing the party, yes and no. We are committed to the Liberal Democrat’s success. But we are not part of the party and reserve the right to challenge the party and take our own line on editorial matters. And that line will never stray from our liberal values.
Well said Charley!
That’s great. Clear and unambiguous. Thank you
This looks good to me.