You may answer this survey anonymously:
- Have you ever felt stifled on a writing forum? If so, how? (Feel free to name names and specific writing forums).
- Have you ever been banned from a writing forum? If so, why? (If you're not sure why, offer your best guess.)
- On some forums, does the application of forum rules/guidelines seem to offer more leeway for administrators, moderators, and forum "pets"? If so, offer some examples. (Feel free to name names and specific writing forums).
- In your opinion, should some forum topics be off-limits? If so, what topics should writing forums avoid altogether?
- Should forums allow for anonymous (for example, with no name or alias) discussion? Why or why not?
- Should forum members be allowed to discuss the policies and behaviors of other forums? Why or why not?
- Should forums that accept government funds be required to follow at least a limited "Public Forum Doctrine" policy*? Why or why not?
- How would you define "libel"?
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Please post your answers on this thread. This survey is being conducted on a public thread because we feel no need to censor any opinion.
* From Public Forum and the Internet (1997):
We can conclude that the Internet is in some respects public and for other features private. The First Amendment does not extend its guarantees to the private property. Only a public electronic forum--owned, operated or sponsored by the state--would obtain protection by the First Amendment. Therefore, only a regulation in this sector could be scrutinized accordingly to the rules applied to traditional public forums.
