h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

As yet, there has been no announcement of any General Election in the UK, however, it it is likely that one could be announced at any time in the next few months.

As many of you know, during the run-up to any General Election, or Local Elections, the BBC operates debates under special conditions, whether they are on TV, Radio or Online.

The BBC's commitment to impartiality is closely scrutinised when reporting on election campaigns. This has some important consequences for the whole of the BBC; we welcome community discussion about the elections, but need to ensure that impartiality is maintained.

In order to maintain impartiality all community areas hosting election conversations must be closely hosted and post-moderated. This means that discussion must be directed and limited to particular areas on bbc.co.uk.

Currently, decisions have not been made on the places chosen by the BBC for these debates. This message this is a reminder that, once the decisions have been taken, we will be enforcing the relevant rules. When we have further news on the situation we will inform the h2g2 Community immediately.

I'll try to restrain myself

Gosh, I hope this doesn't cause a fuss. I don't remember, did the last one cause a fuss?

aye

but they sent it way

to the iraq, if memory serves

Hopefully we will be directed to the appropriate areas and not simply moderated out of existence.

Will Election convo's be moved to specific areas?

turvy

Can we have a space on The Hub? I remember during the European elections we had a space on The Hub where we could discuss them, which didn't cause too much disruption.

Yes, that was better than having to move over to the standard BBC messageboards.

But I suspect Tony won't announce a date for an election until after Chuck has remarried.


Geggs

Chuckie's ex-wife running for pm?

It's not known yet what sort of discussions will be taking place and where, but we've made it clear to those making the decisions how we feel past discussions have worked best and your feedback has been taken into account. We will keep you posted.

Don't mind me I'll be too busy running in the general election to be on here posting about it.

This post has been removed.

Where are you standing Drawer?

Oh, I've just thought, we could check out the candidate lists to find you.


Geggs

Pandora the BBC is the source of news for many people not just in the UK. H2G2 is unfortunately part of a bigger media picture. The BBC have responsibility to maintain parity and equality of coverage during election times. The only way they maintian this on their community sites is somewhere where it is easier to look after.

While I don't agree with the policy I understand why it is in place. But as I said above I doubt it will affect me this time around.

Gosh, she's good. I'll vote for Pandora.

Clue in the name.

Darn now I'll ahve to self moderate

I'm all for the 'Church of the militant Elvis' if only they were standing candidates in this area

Announcement: There's going to be an event, but we don't know when... When it does happen we might have to do something about it but we don't know what yet....




You could have shortened that announcement to "Watch This Space" guys - it would have saved on the keyboard wear



Just joking... But I hope whatever you do you can keep it within DNA

The first time this happened it was a bit of a shock, but we're getting used to it these days.

The Iraq one was a bit messy, as the reasoning behind it was woolly at best, and there didn't seem to be a defined point as to when the restriction were going to be lifted. This led to some slightly ridiculous moderation decisions - such as a comment I made about watching the statue of Saddam being torn down, live on BBC1 - getting pulled

Given that this one is an election. There will be a defined end point - 10pm on election day.

A place within the DNA architecture where we can discuss the election, with all moderation as necessary would be nice

Ok! Cherrie Blair, photogenic or NOT!

"The BBC's commitment to impartiality is closely scrutinised when reporting on election campaigns."

You mean we're allowed to think that Blair's a tw*t, but not say it?

Why, hello, Mr Moderator...

B

No, no, no, no, you're supposed to balance that up with the opinion that Michael Howard is a vampire and Kennedy is a drunken sot.

Fairness and balance in all reporting