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

About that old chestnut the Profanity Filter. As there's a lot of Toy Throwing from either side of this debate I wondered if you could clear up a few points, woman to woman, while the men beat their chests and swing through the trees.

I know the filter is here to stay and I have no problems with this but why is it catching some words that everyone and their Maiden Aunt knows isn't swearing. Is it a software glitch?

Why isn't the 'Offending' word highlighted in the Moderation Email? then there would be a chance to rectify the posting.

Is there somewhere to go 'Further up' if we still don't get satisfaction about the problems?

I would be glad of some clarification if you can, or alternativly could you pass on an email address where we can go to get the answers we need to clear up questions that no-one seems to want to answer.

Much appeciated Natalie

Hello Reefgirl,

Thanks for your query. We are not aware of any software glitch affecting the filter.

We need the profanity filter, but as it's across other DNA sites we don't control the words that are in it. h2g2 is not an island and has to respond to wider BBC policy. There are many other additional factors in play here that are not apparent to the Community.

We've had people trying to test the system repeatedly and all this does is put us under pressure, which forces us to be less flexible in our decisions. We consider it a real waste to use our resources to defend the rights of one or two people to swear.

There's a desire for things to be 'black and white' - but no policy of this type can be. We're not going to print a list of words, and will not be dragged into any more debates about why one word is acceptable and not another. We can't end up in endless discussion over semantics. We just don't have time to do it. We can see what everyone's point is, but we just don't have time to do it. It's not an issue of censorship but a practical one. We have to trust the h2g2 Community to be responsible enough to take care over what they post.

There isn't anyone 'higher up' to direct questions to.

If we've seemed snappy, we apologise, but it's frustrating to be hectored or deliberately tested over something over which we don't have complete control, when we've got enough pressure on us as it is.

Natalie

Thanks Natalie, it's the most helpful thing anyone has said to us, really I'm being sincere here

Can I Quote you on the discussions thread please?

Sorry to intrude Natalie,

That was a very good answe, and one which might I say had it been posted on the "discussion thread" some time ago might have helped to calm the situation. Everything seems a lot clearer to me now.

However I have just one question, if the content of the words on the filter are determined centrally for the whole of DNA then there must be someone who decides which words go on or off the filter. That decision did not happen organically someone decided which words are to be filtered.

I think people would appreciate knowing whom we should direct lobbying to if we feel honestly that something has been included in error. I (and I am sure others) will accept that it is something totally out of your hands (most of us suspect that already) but I would dearly like to know who hands it is in. Specifically aso I can email them about my bugbear. Namely "Father Jacks" fave word.

I hope that this post isnt rude, aggressive or obnoxious, I have tried to be fair and temparate.

Ralph

Hello Reefgirl and Ralph,

You don't sound rude at all, and these are fair questions.

As there are lots of departments working together on this one, there isn't a central person deciding what does and doesn't go on the swear filter. The list has grown sort of organically (and there have had to be compromises between departments along the way), as the offensiveness of a word may depend on context - certain words may be sensitive on one site that aren't a problem on others.

Who knows - eventually, there might be more scope for flexibility - but for the foreseeable future this is the way it is, and we've got to make the best of it. Also, we realise it's well-intentioned, but it's very unlikely that lobbying will help our situation.

Natalie

Cheers Nats

Fair enough.

D'ya mind if I post a link to this thread on the "discussion" one girls? It answers a lot of questions and presumably you could close it so it does not clog up your spac Natalie?

Ralph

Sorry FB I've already posted the highlights of it, mainly our questions and all important, Natalie's answer. Hope you don't mind?

Nahh not in the slightest.

Makes more sense your way to be honest. Sorry to hijak your thread in all.

Don't be, it's nice to have input from others, If you were intruding I'd have said so