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South Pacific Independent News Network · 07-08-2020, 08:16 PM

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Good, Insightful and Timely | Year 18 | 08 July 2020

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OPINION COLUMN | JAY COOP
THERE SHOULD BE RULES. WHO SHOULD BE THE ARBITERS?

Not too long ago, a member of the Local Council authored an article in defence of the institution, arguing that the body exists to enforce the rules of the Regional Message Board (RMB) and maintain order. The Local Council exists today because of the institution's codification in our region's Charter and laws, but do we need the Local Council to enforce the rules of the RMB?

My answer is no. The Local Council's existence today was born out of an attempt to give power to the gameside but, in reality, the institution imposed a divide within the community that is the South Pacific. Contrary to what others have stated, there is only one community in the South Pacific. I strongly deplore rhetoric that claims otherwise and condemn them as factionalist attempts to divide the South Pacific, regardless of the origin of this rhetoric on either the RMB or the forum. You will never hear me say "gameside community" or "forum government" because I reject the assumptions made by those terms.

One may ask if the Local Council doesn't exist, who shall make and enforce the rules? Well, the South Pacific's forum and Discord server are subject to the enforcement of the Community Standards, and a team of moderators exist to enforce these standards. It's not a glorified role, and these people are supposed to be apolitical in their position as moderators. They are not elected but are instead appointed based on trust as longtime citizens of the South Pacific in good standing. These are the people who can replace the Local Council and who are trusted enough to moderate the RMB sensibly.

Forming the Local Council was a mistake to begin with, and I support any legislation in the Assembly that seeks to abolish the institution. We have rules in the South Pacific, but should the Local Council be the arbiters of these rules when it comes to the RMB?

The South Pacific Independent News Network (SPINN) is an independent news organisation established in 2003 whose goal is to provide good news, insightful commentary and timely information for the citizens of the South Pacific. The opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board. Content is published anonymously, unless is the author requests otherwise. The SPINN is in no way, shape or form associated with the Government of the South Pacific.

(This post was last modified: 07-08-2020, 08:19 PM by South Pacific Independent News Network.)