Declared interests and propaganda

tonyb6

Hi, Id like to know whats the forums policy is regarding members declaring their interests or connections to organisations or companies?

Yesterday I posted a thread, 'Move into a new house - get ripped off' (showthread.php?p=64698469&posted=1#post64698469) about how I'm being ripped off by Eon while I wait for Npower to start supplying me with my gas/electric.

Reviewing that thread today I notice that the 2 people who have argued in favour of the energy companies in an effort to justify their actions, namely Nada666 and Bluebirdman of Alcathays have both been very busy since joining this forum and while I cant deny they do post threads on several topics they do seem to be particularly interested in any thread about the Energy industry. This makes me wonder if these members, an no doubt others on this forum have undeclared interests or affiliations to these companies, organizations or links to the industry in general. While I have no problems with companies or individuals defending the actions of these companies, organizations etc etc I do believe that these members should declare any interests (either financially and non-financially) that they may have in those companies, organizations or even the industry as the whole and as such I would like to know the forums policy on this?

It seems to me that while this forum provides an excellent platform for communication between like minded people who wish to air their grievances or provide feedback it also provides an excellent platform for companies or organizations to communicate their own propaganda.

Tony B

grumbler

And how do you suggest to enforce such a policy? Do you not see that this is absolutely unrealistic?

The only realistic policy can be quite the opposite - see "Companies posting on the forum" in Forum Rules

BTW, many times I was accused of working for financial institutions or mobile companies while neither ever was the case. It's typical for people to like only what they want to hear. What's the point in asking then?

bod1467

You mean the old "I'm losing the argument, let's accuse you of working for them" ploy?

tonyb6

grumbler wrote: »

And how do you suggest to enforce such a policy? Do you not see that this is absolutely unrealistic?

The only realistic policy can be quite the opposite - see "Companies posting on the forum"

BTW, many times I was accused of working for financial institutions or mobile companies while neither ever was the case. It's typical for people to like only what they want to hear. What's the point in asking then?

I didnt ask about enforcing the policy only "what the policy was?"

You know changing the question is one technique a contracted propagandist would use to deflect from the real issues/questions in an attempt to confuse and distract its audience.

tonyb6

bod1467 wrote: »

You mean the old "I'm losing the argument, let's accuse you of working for them" ploy?

Another way is via comedy!

grumbler

tonyb6 wrote: »

I didnt ask about enforcing the policy only "what the policy was?"

No, you didn't just ask "what the policy was?". You did suggest that the policy should be that "members should declare any interests". How such policy can be enforced?

You know changing the question is one technique a contracted propagandist would use to deflect from the real issues/questions in an attempt to confuse and distract its audience.

Denying own words is another way. It works well in oral discussions, but doesn't work here.