Thanks for the response. I hope this clears up the confusion.

Regards

David

 

A concise and well-considered post.

Thank you Fleet Contact.

 

So there was no point in censoring the original post at all. I see that the news item concerning new product releases has now been deleted, with, as far as I can see, no explanation. There is something very unpleasant about censorship. In general it is frowned upon as an unpleasant and even an evil concept. It flies against everything the www is supposed to stand for. Now as friends of MGR, if they consider that a posting is damaging their interests and ask for its removal, I think you should comply, but the posting should be replaced by another stating that the original was removed at MGR's request. And once information is in the public domain or available on other websites, their request should be politely refused and the reasons given.
Freedom of speech is far more important than a conducted tour of the works for a limited number of contributors.

 

I really dont think thats fair...

It is, after all, Steve that pays the bills. Its Steve than MGR will come to if there is a problem. And Fleet Contacts original post did read (to me anyway) like it had come out of MGR. Espesh with his name it was not unreasonable to suppose that it might have been an internal document.

Having said that it would have been nice to have something saying why the thread had been removed, but I guess it was a spur-of-the-moment damage limitation type execise.

I do think Stu closing Megas odd little rant was a mistake - if it'd been left open I think he'd have been soundly shredded by the majority of other posters.

 

This forum is not a democracy. If Steve wants to edit or delete a post that's for him to decide. Censorship by the government is generally a bad thing. Censorship on Steve's web site by Steve isn't.

Happily I am sure that comments to the contrary will roll off Steve and not change his views or methods. Steve - please keep running things the way you are. No change necessary or desired.

 

This forum is not a democracy. If Steve wants to edit or delete a post that's for him to decide. Censorship by the government is generally a bad thing. Censorship on Steve's web site by Steve isn't.

Happily I am sure that comments to the contrary will roll off Steve and not change his views or methods. Steve - please keep running things the way you are. No change necessary or desired.

I'm with the grumpy one of this.

 

Cheers for your comments guys.

I've said really all I am going to say and I'm going to repeat it (yes I know I could do a copy and paste, but I'm lazy, ok!?).

I don't like removing threads as much as you don't like to see them removed. But I will not have any threads on here that could damage MG Rover by removing their ability to suprise. Whether that information was correct or not, it gave the impression it was and with the motoring press as they are, they spend their days looking for news, trawling through websites like ours for it. If they found information like that and they felt inclinded, they could print it.

So much for the suprise if they did. What was posted wasn't official, as Fleet Contact says above - but the point it is doesn't have to be official to get their attention. Afterall, if they made a full page story about the MG Express Van based on one ZR owning member's comment about it - they'll use anything!

 

Now as friends of MGR, if they consider that a posting is damaging their interests and ask for its removal, I think you should comply, but the posting should be replaced by another stating that the original was removed at MGR's request.

Sometimes these leaks/speculations are correct. Often they're not.

Deleting them and putting up a thread saying that MG-Rover asked us to would seem sensible on the face of it, but the problem is that it can lend credibility where it is unjust.

In addition I would like to say that I agree with Grumpy unequivocally.

 

I do think Stu closing Megas odd little rant was a mistake - if it'd been left open I think he'd have been soundly shredded by the majority of other posters.

That's the exact reason I closed it, but did not delete it. A slagging match will do no one any good. Removing the post would have also not given Mike his say (which he is entitled to). Therefore I felt it best closed.

 

whilst i understand the sentiment behind removals, i have to agree that it is getting to the stage of stupidity in what is actually being removed. Now i know we like to keep on the side of MGR, that is in our interests, however to even remove a well written speculative piece because it sounded too official does seem a tad extreme, not to mention the news headline of new model launches!

Whilst again concernes are noted of car magazines watching the forum, and MG Express being an example, i am sorry but MGR and ourselves need to take the rough with the smooth, and cant pussy foot around subjects for fear of being written about in magazines. MG Express caused a lot of concern amongst MG owners, so the fact Auto Express mentioned it is a non issue really IMO, as it was a genuine concern and if we cant air concerns or speculate, then its not the most conctructive of forums to take part in.

Is MGR perhaps employing Alistair Campbell!

But being serious though, it is possible to have a good relationship with MGR and surely maintain healthy forums on a wide range of sucjects, which must include speculation, negative points, concernes and indeed well written pieces. Sorry to mention it again but i was in FIAT Motor Club GB for over 3 years, a registrar for 2 of them and the club maintained for a long time a healthy relationshop with FIAT UK. There were many speculative well written pieces about future plans, and many negative points. And this never affected the relationship between club and manafacturer. FIAT withdrew support from the club after a lot of internal bickering and other issues. I dont want to see the same happen here, and i dont think it will, but please please can we have a degree of sensibility in what is and isnt removed.

 

Tend to agree with Mike on this one.

Surely half the point of enthusiasts coming on here is to find out what is going on ahead of the game? Otherwise you're better off buying AutoExpress. And NONE of us want to do that! :lol:

Also, it can be annoying if a thread is deleted after it has already started to provoke some serious and thoughtful discussion - there is a danger of throwing the baby of good ideas and arguments out with the bathwater of keeping MGR happy.

And then, of course, where will MGR's ability to suppress threads stop? when they feel that opinions of their products are unfair?

I've always favoured a "Tough Love" approach to the former Rover Group. I want them to succeed, but they have a long history, product-wise, of being their own worst enemies. We need to get an inkling of what they're up to as soon as possible, and comment as forcefully as possible if we think what they are doing is wrong.

I agree that Steve and the Mods have to strike a fine balance, but lets ensure that isn't lost in favour of appeasing MGR when inappropriate.

 

I also agree with Mike on this one.

The amount of information that is being censored recently from this site is getting a bit beyond the joke at times. I always thought the point of these forums was to encourage free exchange of views etc. Obviously we have to keep on MGR's good side so to speak but there should be a good healthy debate on all issues involving the company. After all we are all enthusiasts and want the company to do well.

C'mon folks we live in a country where we are encouraged to speak freely and that should apply here too!