Question about commenting rights on photos

cdhames

Hey folks. I have a bit of a problem. I recently posted a gallery on a hispanic beauty pageant and have allowed comments in the galleries. The problem I have now is that some of the mothers did not like the results of the pageant. Basically, they thought another girl should have won, and now a couple of them are expressing their opinions in the comment sections. They've kept their comments civil, but just barely so.

I've been contacted by the director of the pageant and she's asked me to remove the comments. She mentioned there is some harassment involved by said mothers and she's been in touch with lawyers on the subject. She's also stated that the girl who won, along with her mother, is distraught and feels generally miserable over the growing debate.

I've told the director that I'll think about her request and get back to her tomorrow afternoon. I'm not sure what I should do though. While the comments are borderline slander, they aren't exactly cursing or namecalling and I'm a big believer in freedom of speech. I'd like to allow them to voice their opinions as long as they keep it professional.

Here's the biggest comment thread on the subject:

http://cdhames.smugmug.com/gallery/1813915

What are your opinions?

Jeffro

I wouldn't want those comments...especially the extremely lengthy ones...on my site. They aren't really commenting on the photo's anyway, more so on the judges and such. That looks like chat that would be on a forum somewhere.

I feel those comments are ditracting from you site....just my two cents.

dragon300zx

Delete all comments not pertaining to the photos. At least thats what I would do. This isn't about free speech it's about business. And your site isn't in the business of gossipy cat fight's. It's about photographs. The only comments that belong there are the ones about photography. I would have killed all the other comments long before now. Business is Business, and allowing a cat fight at your business is bad business. You wouldn't let it happen in a store front, you shouldn't let it happen online.

dragon300zx

Oh and.

Add a disclaimer to your site stating that:

"Although I am a firm supporter of the freedom of speech, I am running a business. Any comments not pertaining to the nature of this business (the photographs themselves) will be removed. I ask that everyone respect my business and conduct themselves in a proffesional manner as well."

It's late, and I'm tired so I'm not gonna spell check that.

Angelo

Jeffro wrote:

I wouldn't want those comments...especially the extremely lengthy ones...on my site. They aren't really commenting on the photo's anyway, more so on the judges and such. That looks like chat that would be on a forum somewhere.

I feel those comments are ditracting from you site....just my two cents.

support free speech all you want but what does any of that dribble have to do with you or your photography? I would take it down.

cdhames

alright
well said. thank you for the advice.

DavidTO

I say it's your site, do what works for you and ignore the organizer.

Nikolai

Enable comment moderation in your CP
With everything else that guys just said, you will be the ultimate judge of what to show and what not.