This is a clarification to all members regarding our Forum Guidelines and the FM Group. SWs are issued for very clear cases of abuse and misbehaviour by a member.
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At this time, we have had many members against whom SW is issued claim that:
"I am a long-time member of IRI, and have made so many useful blog posts, TL Edits and contributions...
more... to the site. I have been helping so many members, even more than you yourself have done. I made one mistake, and "YOUR" FMs have now issued me SW!!! What kind of a private site are you running?" Thereafter, we may also get popular appeal and a petition drive from many other members pressuring us - "Please remove SW against xyz member. He knows a lot about the Railways, etc. and helps us a lot".
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All of this actually amounts to undue harassment of FMs and MISUSE of power by powerful and popular members. Any member who disagrees with FM Action feels it his right to declare FMs as "biased" and accuse them.
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Great member posts/pics are appreciated by the site and the whole IRI community. Useful members are important ASSETS to IRI. Yes, there are many members whose presence is welcomed by all. However, all of this has NOTHING to do with violation of Forum Guidelines. The Forum Guidelines apply EQUALLY to all, whether they be new members, senior members, highly popular members, Admins, Monitors, etc. The fact that you are a long-time respected contributor does NOT give you IMMUNITY against Forum Guidelines.
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In our country, we often complain that powerful people, celebrities, movie stars get away with crimes, that normal people would go to jail for. Such CORRUPTION ALSO exists in Internet Forums. Powerful members use their past useful contributions and popularity status as a LICENSE for misbehaviour.
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Yes, FMs sometimes make wrong decisions. In most cases, wrong decisions are overturned. Some FMs are new, and the site will give them an opportunity to learn. We have very strict and transparent guidelines for FMs. Any FM in violation is quickly expelled. Meanwhile, members who disagree with FM decisions are NOT ALLOWED to arbitrarily accuse FMs of bias, etc. Such misbehaviour will hereby be grounds for IMMEDIATE SW.
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Given the above CLEAR statement, it is requested of our Celebrity/Powerful members to consider it carefully. If you believe that helping many people with their questions/problems, posting many Useful blogs, being a popular member grants you immunity against violation of our Forum Guidelines, then you MUST STOP your participation immediately and self-QUIT the site.
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The FM Group will try its best to make a good decision. Any bias or violation by FMs will be independently handled by the site. Hereafter, harassment of FMs, levelling unproved accusations on FMs, etc. will fetch an immediate SW.
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Thanks for everyone's cooperation in preserving a courteous and friendly Forum.