I don't ask for comments in my entries cause they're usually crap, but I do need some guidance on this matter.

Tabulas has gotten to a point where there are some "philosophical" questions need to be answered in regards to censorship.

This problem was brought up through a friend who's 14 year old brother found a Tabulas journal which was offensive. In the context of this post, I'm going to reveal the URLs.

*WARNING* THE FOLLOWING IMAGES CONTAINS PARTS OF THE FEMALE ANATOMY WHICH WILL BE OFFENSIVE (Image 1 Image 2) *WARNING*

ARGUMENT #1: TABULAS MUST PROTECT THE MINORS WHO USE THE SITE BY CENSORING SUCH IMAGES.

There is no argument that the first image is outright offensive. No one disputes this. However, do I have the right to go into that person's journal and delete that image?

If the only problem was minors being exposed to pornographic images, the answer is simple: Simply state a rule saying, "No pornographic images on Tabulas." Problem solved.

However ...

PROBLEM #1: ENFORCING CENSORSHIP RULES REQUIRES THE CREATION OF A TABULAS "POLICING" FORCE

In order to enforce the rules of Tabulas, you would have to set-up a policing force. Obviously it would be impossible to do pre-emptive screening of images to Tabulas, so each issue would have to be dealt with on a case-by-case basis based on complaints. However, what judgements do you use to determine whether an image is offensive? Some would find the second image linked above as enough to get it banned, but others might find it ok.

In any case, you would have to use the judgements of the policing force. But what restrictions do the policing force have? They will potentially have the option to edit/delete images from your Tabulas at will. Do you really feel comfortable doing this? Who polices the policing force?

Furthermore, where do you draw the line? What if an image posted is made friends-only? And what if no one in the friends list is a minor ... but one still finds an image offensive? Do you remove that image?

PROBLEM #2: WHERE DO YOU DRAW THE LINE ON WHAT TO CENSOR? (ALSO KNOWN AS THE "SLIPPERY SLOPE" ARGUMENT)

So today we decide that pornographic images will be reviewed by the Abuse Team. What if tomorrow someone finds a post that is anti-Semitic in nature? Is that protected under free speech, or do we make our TOS inclusive to protect against racial slurs?

Then what if tomorrow someone finds posts that are not offensive to groups of people, but to an individual? Say ex-boyfriend John starts posting sex stories about his ex-girlfriend Jane. Do we empower the Abuse Team to handle (petty) disputes between members?

Simply put, where do you draw the line between what you censor and what you don't? And once you start indicating you're willing to censor material, how do you tell people that you're not willing to settle disputes between members? Personal attacks can fall under the umbrella of "hateful speech."

What criteria do you use to censor the material? Obviously pornographic images are harmful to minors, but what if someone's Tabulas is geared towards older audiences and includes pornography? Do we have a right to censor stuff like that?

My take on the whole issue is akin to Pandora's Box: Don't go there. Once I indicate I want to start censorship of material, I open myself up to all sorts of censorship requests from all sorts of members. And that is something I don't want to do.

Tabulas is *not* a site that controls the flow of information; the very creation of features like RSS and (soon-to-be) Tabulets is meant to publish the information as many formats as possible so that it will never be lost (unless you choose it so).

PROBLEM #3: DO WEBSITES HAVE THE RIGHT TO CENSOR MATERIAL?

From a legal standpoint, the answer is an absolute yes. You do not have free-speech rights on private websites. Most websites are geared towards specific purposes (whether it be game reviews or a fansite for some hot celebrity.); these do not benefit from no-censorship mentalities.

However, journaling sites are quite different. There's an assumed inherent social contract. I *could* start reading everyone's private journals using some sort of superadmin backdoor. I *could* publish everyone's e-mail on the web and let spamming bots grab them. However, as long as that bond of trust isn't violated, you continue to write private entries.

But the point is, I don't. And that gives you guys a peace of mind that whatever is posted on Tabulas is respected. If you choose a friends-only mode, it comes out like that. I don't go around adding myself as your friend just to read your posts.

The "bigger picture" includes your belief that what you write will be respected, regardless of its hateful nature or whatnot. What if you knew every post you wrote or every image you posted could be reviewed by someone and put offline without your consent? It would be damaging to the way you journal.

Certainly a lot of you don't journal that seriously so these aren't issues, but there are plenty of people who write journals on sensitive topics that would worry plenty about any type of censorship.

At this point, I am too reluctant to start a policing force. However, my mind is open to change if I can hear something that might change my mind.

Please give me your comments on this topic ...