[Tango-L] Rules on negative postings (WAS Geraldine and Ezequiel)

[Tango-L and Tango-A Administrator]

> Ok, given the clear posting of the relevant rules, I will be more 
> specific about my experience of Geraldin Rojas & Ezequiel Paludi's 
> workshops at the Aus International Tango Fest.

[rest of post deleted]

Well, there was certainly more than sufficient disclosure in this post 
for the Tango-L rules. Since there has been so much discussion about it 
(and now a blog that uses the same rules), let me copy the entire text 
of that rule here, rather than just paraphrase as I did before. Note 
that this allowance for negative reviews is identified in the rules as 
an "exception": the exception being to a more general rule against 
rants, complaints, flames, etc. (especially if that's all that the post 
contains), which rarely if ever add anything positive to a discussion. A 
sincere, unbiased and objective critical review that does not have some 
ulterior motive indeed can provide a useful service.

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NEGATIVE REVIEWS PERMITTED (WITH STRICT REQUIREMENTS)

Negative reviews of a particular teacher or event are permitted as a 
potential service to the Tango community, even if individuals are named. 
However, to prevent abuse of this exception as a way for people to 
campaign negatively against people they don't like, or their 
competitors, these reviews must meet ALL the following criteria: The 
purpose of this clarification to the rules is NOT to encourage 
negativism or criticism (there is enough of that already on Tango-L), 
but to clarify the requirements for those legitimately wishing to 
provide a negative review as a public service.

+ The full name and Tango community (city or metropolitan region) of the 
poster must be identified. The intent of this requirement is to avoid 
anonymous postings or postings under unverifiable pseudonyms. There 
should be enough identification information that people from that 
community can verify the identity of the poster. (While there may be a 
legitimate argument for anonymous negative reviews, its potential for 
abuse is too great and so it is not permitted.)

+ The person or event being reviewed must be a public figure or event in 
Tango, i.e., one that advertises or is advertised or otherwise promoted, 
even if on a limited scale.

+ The poster should not be a competitor of the person about whom he or 
she wishes to post the negative review, or affiliated with a competitor 
or acting on behalf of a competitor (i.e., there should be no conflict 
of interest or ulterior motive).

+ The poster should have had direct and personal experience of the 
teacher or event in question (i.e., not just based on hearsay).

+ Specific details must be included to back up the negative opinion. The 
focus needs to be on objective items (even if it has a subjective 
component), and not on entirely subjective opinions.
E.g.,
"The organizer is a jerk." Not acceptable (even if it is true).
"I felt cheated because half the teachers advertised for the festival 
were not present and no refunds or other compensation was offered." 
Acceptable.

+ The above rules apply even if the teacher is not identified by name if 
it's clear that the negative comments apply to an identifiable person or 
group. The following (similar to a real example posted on Tango-L by a 
teacher with an obvious conflict of interest) would not be permitted: 
"There's another couple in our community that have taught for years, but 
they've yet to produced a single successful student by themselves."

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Tango-L and Tango-A administrator
tango-L-owner at mit.edu