Censorship gone too far?

[BM]

The link goes to a topic not found page. Someone told him they were famous here!!

[disorderly]

The issue as I see it disordely is that you have many people with varying levels of knowledge, and quite often that knowledge (or lack thereof) leads to purchases that are not in anyones best interest, Invariably these same people whom mouth off are also the same people who cant be told any different to start with, in many cases the recipient of the slander is not even aware and therefore has no right of reply.
I was however refering to the opposite situation where companies who have no interest and or participation are given coverage on websites by members where someone in direct opposition to them is a paid advertiser, it is them I fell should be afforded some exclusivety and or protection for thier investment.

geoff

Yes Squizzy, I do understand where you are coming from...but generally it's relatively easy to tell the posters experience (or lack of)through a post or 2 and yes, in the case where said poster has quite simply made a bad decision or choice upon purchase then his complaint might need to be taken with a grain of salt..that said however, it should be up to the forum members too figure this out and add comment rather than just a blanket censorship from the mods.

and they do...there is enough smart members here not afraid to ask the hard questions to sort out the wheat from the chaff.

In regards to your last comment I disagree totally....just because someone is a paid advertiser or sponser shouldn't mean that no competitor is allowed to be ever mentioned here....that just shows a total disregard for free speech.

Scott

[squizzytaylor]

Geoff, these sites are only another form of advertising medium just like TV, Radio, Newspapers etc.

They're all fair game as are people's opinions. After all we discuss varied products & compare whilst out shopping, at home on sites such as this.

Isn't this what fair trade & fredom of speech are all about?

Absolutely, and this is my point exactly. As with Print and other forms of electronic media you pay your fee and get your advertising and this is how these mediums are funded, what other form of media can you get free advertising from?
There are independant advertiser free websites around though where this does not apply.

[Dodgy_Back]

If only sponsors products can be mentioned on so called public forums wouldn't it be a form of "cash for comment"

Paid advertisers have a one up on the rest by being just that "paid advertisers" and they have ads.

Just because they pay does not mean that they have an exclusive deal and no other similar products can be discussed. they have a deal for ad space not public opinion.

Mick

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