alexwharton
31-03-2008, 11:27 PM
www.volvoclub.org.uk (http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/)
Quote:
It is time to release details of the events that led to the recent closure of this forum.
On 22 February 2008 I received an email from the owner of a garage that said, “I have just come across some very defamatory comments regarding my business on this forum site.”
The matter was investigated and the relevant thread removed from public view, and as a result I made the statement that posts about poor work done by garages would not be made. This was made after taking legal advice, advice that said the Volvo Owners Club, owners of the forum, could be held liable. The initial action taken by us did not resolve the matter, and it is still unresolved at this time. Hence, we cannot make any further comments.
Such legal action could be very costly and possibly exhaust the club funds. If the costs exceeded those funds the directors themselves could find themselves having to pay out of their own money.
My statement precipitated a torrent of abuse on this and other forums and some was not from members of the Volvo Owners Club.
The comments made on other forums, comments that have been passed to us were often defamatory and insulting. It is clear there are some people who have no consideration or respect for others. They seem only to want to insult others and disrupt the forum. I think we all agree with freedom of speech, but it can only be within the laws of the land.
We, the Board of Directors of the Volvo Owners Club, decided that the best course of action would be to close the forum as we felt the name of the Volvo Owners Club was being tarnished. This was done last Saturday evening.
The insults and abuse against us have continued on some other forums, and it is clear from the comments that some of those people will attempt to get back on this forum and possibly continue their campaign of disruption.
I hope it is clear now why the forum was closed, and how the irresponsible actions of some can have far reaching implications.
It may not now be a case of “when” the forum will reopen, it may be, “if”.
Robert Isaac
Director
On behalf of the Board of Directors
Volvo Owners Club
Quote:
It is time to release details of the events that led to the recent closure of this forum.
On 22 February 2008 I received an email from the owner of a garage that said, “I have just come across some very defamatory comments regarding my business on this forum site.”
The matter was investigated and the relevant thread removed from public view, and as a result I made the statement that posts about poor work done by garages would not be made. This was made after taking legal advice, advice that said the Volvo Owners Club, owners of the forum, could be held liable. The initial action taken by us did not resolve the matter, and it is still unresolved at this time. Hence, we cannot make any further comments.
Such legal action could be very costly and possibly exhaust the club funds. If the costs exceeded those funds the directors themselves could find themselves having to pay out of their own money.
My statement precipitated a torrent of abuse on this and other forums and some was not from members of the Volvo Owners Club.
The comments made on other forums, comments that have been passed to us were often defamatory and insulting. It is clear there are some people who have no consideration or respect for others. They seem only to want to insult others and disrupt the forum. I think we all agree with freedom of speech, but it can only be within the laws of the land.
We, the Board of Directors of the Volvo Owners Club, decided that the best course of action would be to close the forum as we felt the name of the Volvo Owners Club was being tarnished. This was done last Saturday evening.
The insults and abuse against us have continued on some other forums, and it is clear from the comments that some of those people will attempt to get back on this forum and possibly continue their campaign of disruption.
I hope it is clear now why the forum was closed, and how the irresponsible actions of some can have far reaching implications.
It may not now be a case of “when” the forum will reopen, it may be, “if”.
Robert Isaac
Director
On behalf of the Board of Directors
Volvo Owners Club