Who asked for the sponsorship threads to be deleted?

[DaveO]

In the thread (I can't reply to that thread as it is locked) that mentions this FROM A TO B posted this:

"Please be aware that I have been formally requested to remove any posts regarding the potential club sponsors.
This is due to certain comments that may have been made that could jeapordise the outcome of any current discussions.

I'm sure you all understand and until a formal announcement is made by the club, can we please refrain from further posts regarding who may or may not be sponsoring this club that we all love so much."

I notice a thread on sponsors has been locked on rlfans as well. Coincidence?

This raises a number of questions.

Who formally requested... the posts to be removed?

What right do they have to moderate this forum by proxy?

Why wasn't Mike, the site owner asked about this as opposed to one seemingly "random" moderator?

If there were offending posts within threads why where they not simply deleted or edited to remove the content rather than entire threads deleted?

Will we be being requested to delete threads discussing potential signings in future in case they "jeapordise the outcome of any current discussions"?

As you can probably tell I don't find this particularly acceptable. We are all well aware of liable laws and clamp down on offensive behaviour but if posts are not libellous or distasteful then removal of such is simply censorship.

Dave

[ancientnloyal]

I agree Dave I think in A2B's post Mike mentioned something on the lines that he disagreed with it and he made this website in a free country and free speech etc...


The person I can think of is Mick Hogan

[Dawn O]

I agree Dave I think in A2B's post Mike mentioned something on the lines that he disagreed with it and he made this website in a free country and free speech etc...


The person I can think of is Mick Hogan

I know for a fact it was Mick Hogan (well at least on Rlfans)

[cpwigan]

To the best of my knowledge. The club telephoned 2 forum members and one of those then contacted A to B.

As far as this site goes the only post that was an issue was a kit picture with the new sponsor on it that I posted. I knew who the sponsor was but had kept quiet because the information was still sensitive. It was then publicised on rlfans and after that I posted the image here. I believe the real issue was the negative comments that accompanied the news on rlfans. Rlfans was also contacted and took similar action. They have deleted other posts there also. Maybe you could ask on that site too Dave.

Personally, it is difficult when the club essentially calls your bluff. They have done so re Tim Smith and any posts about his off field behaviour and with the sponsorship. Nobody would want to see the club damaged in any way. It could be genuine or not and there are only so many times you can ask people to act on that basis

HOWEVER,

I think Mike made his case pretty clear.

[DaveO]

To the best of my knowledge. The club telephoned 2 forum members and one of those then contacted A to B.

As far as this site goes the only post that was an issue was a kit picture with the new sponsor on it that I posted. I knew who the sponsor was but had kept quiet because the information was still sensitive. It was then publicised on rlfans and after that I posted the image here. I believe the real issue was the negative comments that accompanied the news on rlfans. Rlfans was also contacted and took similar action. They have deleted other posts there also. Maybe you could ask on that site too Dave.

I have and and up to speed with what the club has asked for and why (I missed the previous thread on here or would have posted my concerns there - I may merge this with it come to think of it).

On rlfans the thread is locked and the images deleted. Other posts remain. That would have been preferable here. The announcement from A2B is very obscure and I must admit when I read it my jaw dropped.

Had the Wigan Observer posted an article speculating a certain company was to sponsor Wigan RL there isn't a lot that could be done about it so I guess I am uneasy the club thinks it can interfere in an independent web sites content that isn't in any way illegal or offensive. The fact it went through two none moderators to a mod and not to Mike is just very a very odd way to go about it as well.

Personally, it is difficult when the club essentially calls your bluff. They have done so re Tim Smith and any posts about his off field behaviour and with the sponsorship. Nobody would want to see the club damaged in any way. It could be genuine or not and there are only so many times you can ask people to act on that basis

HOWEVER,

I think Mike made his case pretty clear.

I think in all the years under Mo that the Internet was around far more speculation went on and things were posted and I can't recall a direct request from the club to either site to delete content. Most of the time its all just speculation and both sites mods just delete libellous stuff. That I thought worked quite well. This is a different approach from the club and not one I am keen on.

Dave

[cpwigan]

It is something that is personally a difficult topic.

On the one hand I like the fact that the club can post here and that they have a better relationship with fans. It makes good sense for clubs to be aware of the views of their fans and as such the net has some value for them.

I would hate for sites to be overly influenced by clubs though. I do not think Mike would tolerate that anyway. He strikes me as a liberal minded individual and very keen to preserve free speech.

Like others here, I often get told things but I always protect the source / adhere to their wishes. The club? if something needs criticising IMO then I will voice that view. I may be wrong or right. Likewise if somebody has the contrary opinion they are equally entitled to voice it. I would think that most here are amongst the most devoted fans that exist. The distances some of you travel/efforts you make to support the club stagger me sometimes. Similarly, those who give up so much time / commit so much of their income.

[FROM A TO B]

To put this to bed and to clarify why I did what I did.
Someone (you don't need to know who) who is a club employee contacted a member of this site who he thought could moderate threads.
The request was made that as comments had been made on a thread that could jeapordise negociations, that the threads be removed.
That person phoned me and passed on the request.

you can go on about free speech, but for the sake of deleting 2 threads, does it really matter if it could affect the outcome of this club getting a main sponsor.

Personally I was not prepared to take that risk and as such deleted the threads and put the post up advising why.

Yes I probably shold have tried to contact Mike, but he was not on line at the time and decided to air on the side of caution.

Hope this makes things clearer as to what was done and why and I just hope that the club can soon announce who our sponsor will be, as Iwant a new shirt for the first home game!!!

[cpwigan]

Re What Guy is saying. Moderators have to act sometimes before/instead of contacting Mike. If a post was left for 24 hours etc before Mike saw it then that would be a tad silly.

[wigan pie man]

it was definitely mike hogan, and it was mike hogan who confirmed to certain people in power on these forums that the sponsor was in fact a done deal , but they would like it kept under wraps so they can make an official announcement.

well heres an unofficial announcement.......its ....we know, know, the club know, so who the hell are they to tell us we cant post it on a forum which is outside their jurisdiction.

[THE 18th Man]

at the end of the day this is stupid. great we have asponser with a good finacial backgorund however the focus should be on the build up to super league. the rugby is the most important thing and although its great to get a high profile sponser the focus should be on the rugby