Background #
It is almost never appropriate to debate specific moderation decisions in public.
- Moderation decisions often involve sensitive information, discussing these publicly risks exposing private details about individuals or incidents.
- Public debates can erode trust in moderation processes, suggesting that decisions are negotiable rather than based on established policy and process.
- Online debates can quickly escalate, inviting hostility, trolling, or misinformation, especially on contentious topics.
- Fediverse servers are independent. Your moderation decisions should align with your server’s policies and community guidance, not the opinions of third-party servers. It is impossible to reflect or satisfy the moderation approaches of 30,000 ActivityPub services. (But be open to to reviewing your policies as and when appropriate.)
- Public debates may prioritise loud voices over the needs of marginalised or vulnerable members, undermining the community’s safety and inclusivity.
When and How to Respond #
If there’s confusion or questions about your server’s rules or moderation approach, provide a general explanation of your policies without discussing specific reports or cases.
When false information about a decision spreads, a concise, factual statement can help prevent unnecessary conflict.
Use non-contentious times to educate about moderation practices, helping users understand the reasoning behind decisions.
Best Practices for Communication #
- Direct community members to your official channels for appeals or discussions about specific cases.
- Share general information about moderation processes or decision-making approaches without describing any one report’s specifics.
- Avoid personalising conflicts or engaging emotionally – focus on the facts and the policies.
- Never type a reply or engage while angry or frustrated, just sit back, collect yourself, get input from other moderators if needed.
- Always ensure responses don’t inadvertently harm vulnerable groups or invite additional controversy.
