News - Or Where?

[sunny-dave]

Just a few thoughts ...

I believe that the Editor(s) have said that threads in the News topic should generally relate to specific events (even if a link is not provided) - and that politics in general should be kept out of Chatterbank.

This leaves a problem for members wishing to chew the fat over less specific political issues, or other items of newsworthiness not related to the current days events.

Can I suggest that if people want to 'just have a chat' about topics of current interest - but don't have a specific event in today's news to hang the discussion on - then they are recommended to use either the 'Politics' or 'Current Affairs' sub-topics?

This would keep News tidy and fit for purpose, and keep CB as a haven for natter and nonsense.

Cheers

Dave x

[douglas9401]

For clarity, is this a few suggestions or a smacked bottom?

[naomi24]

That is precisely why I suggested elevating ‘Politics’ from its hiding place to a main topic, an idea that I understood to have been agreed. However, it is yet to be actioned.

[Canary42]

I quite agree naomi - it's really stupid putting it under News.

[sunny-dave]

I have no status for smackybottoms, Doogie - just tired of contributing to threads that then go awol because they're in the wrong place.

Ah, yes Naomi - I do now vaguely remember this having been discussed before - thanks for the reminder - a very good idea.

[douglas9401]

He who is tired of threads that go AWOL is tired of life.

[naomi24]

//just tired of contributing to threads that then go awol because they're in the wrong place.//

I know what you mean. For example, when the Eds move a thread, say, from News to Current Affairs, they add at the bottom 'This thread has been moved to Current Affairs - which doesn't help those looking for it where they last saw it - in its original spot - 'News'.

[Ken4155]

Doesn't help when some believe their every utterance is news. If politics is not to have it's own slot, perhaps it would be more fitting in 'Society and Culture'?
Of course i do realise that the resignation of a PM is news, but not necessarily the pure speculation that follows.

[Hopkirk]

Smackybottoms should be in a completely different category.

[Ken4155]

^
Sport, perhaps :-)

[ABSpareEditor]

Hello, Sunny-Dave

Absolutely. Such conversations should be held in the subcategories of News.

[Untitled]

nobody uses them lol

[tomus42]

Specific news events inevitably lead to broader discussions on political issues. I don't think that should result in the thread being put out to pasture in a sub section.

[goodgoalie]

I think the problem stems from the fact that there are only 7 choices for topics at the top of the home page and users look no further than that.

[ABSpareEditor]

I agree. We want to encourage discussion. However, there does need to be a line. It's hard to set specific rules about off-topic discussions.