Yvonne James-Henderson wrote: > Due to conflict on the list, one of the subscribers states a post > was libelous and wants the thread deleted from the archives. How > would one determine the validity of this and/or go about this > deleting the thread if so determined? First of all, I'd put ALL parties who have contributed to the thread on mod status and tell them privately and individually that you have done so whilst you sort out the inappropriate behaviour if there is indeed inappropriate behaviour. (I did that when a former list member started a flame.) Once you have the parties sulking in the naughty corner, you can sort out the situation with the posts. Were the posts really libelous? Did they defame another person? Did they damage the other person's reputation? Was there any justification for the statements made? Or was it simply playground name calling and bickering? Is the complainer being petulant? Quite often someone will scream "libel" (or "slander") without justification and/or without fully understanding what actually constitutes libel or slander. The following quotes are taken from www.cyberlibel.com/libel.html <quote> What is the definition of libel? The classic definition is: "a publication without justification or lawful excuse which is calculated to injure the reputation of another by exposing him to hatred, contempt or ridicule." (Parke, B. in Parmiter v. Coupland (1840) GM&W 105 at 108) </quote> <quote> In a libel action, the plaintiff must prove three elements of the tort of libel: The statement has been made to a third party. The statement referred to the plaintiff. (This does not mean that the statement has to refer expressly to the plaintiff. A statement can be actionable if it is reasonably capable of referring to the plaintiff). The statement must be defamatory, which means that it must be a false statement to the plaintiff's discredit. </quote> The site also has a long piece about Cyber Libel Issues which is too long to be quoted here but which is relevant. If you decide there is no problem with the comments, do nothing. It takes two to make an argument or flame. The complainer is as likely to be as guilty of creating/causing the problem as the person being complained about. If you decide there is a problem with some of the comments, initiate the removal process and tell the parties individually and privately to complete the process. If you decide there is a problem with the whole thread, ask Rootsweb to remove it in its entirety and tell the parties involved individually and privately the thread had been removed - but only when it actually has been! :)) None of the list members needs to know what action you have or have not taken against any other member. It's none of their business and any demands to know what you've done should be ignored. Leave the contributors to the thread on mod for a while until you can see they are behaving themselves, then quietly take them off without further comment. They'll soon figure out they are no longer on mod. You may get one or two unsubbing but that's their loss, not yours or the list's. -- Charani (UK) OPC for Walton, Greinton and Clutton, SOM Asst OPC for Ashcott and Shapwick, SOM http://wsom-opc.org.uk http://www.savethegurkhas.co.uk/