We believe in an open, fair and transparent moderation policy therefore we are publishing this policy for all to see. The goal of this policy is to set and maintain a high standard of discussion, intervening only under special circumstances as outlined below.

We expect this policy to be a living document and will likely change over time. If you have a constructive suggestion on how to improve this policy, we will gladly take it under consideration. Contact us hello@bullseye.net.au

Start Here – Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct (the “Code”) spells out what we expect of members when using the site:

1.    What members can and can’t do

2.    What members should and should not do

3.    That we expect members to hold other members accountable to the Code.

The Karma system of upvotes and downvotes is designed to self-regulate the community standards from a content perspective. Great content will be rise to the top and the rubbish will fall below the waterline.

There will be instances, however, when an adjudicator will need to intervene which is the basis of this policy. This policy defines how the Code will be enforced when required to do so.

The Role of a Moderator

To use a sporting metaphor, the role of the moderator is to get out of the way of the players but blow the whistle when the rules are broken. The MO of a moderator is to allow maximum discussion to take place with a wide variety of opinions.

Accordingly, the Bullseye moderators will be mostly out of sight and allow the exchange of ideas and opinions with Karma points working its magic.

A moderator will intervene under the following triggers:

1.    Where a post is Reported

2.    Where a letter of demand or notice of concerns is received from a complainant

3.    Randomly reviewing the forums and observing behaviour that violates the Code.

4.    Screening posts for members on probation.

The moderator will take a course of action depending on each trigger and severity.

Trigger # 1 – Reported Posts

When a post is reported, the post changes status to ‘Pending Review’ and is immediately hidden from all users on next page refresh.

Posts in Pending Review status enter a moderation queue and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis using the Code as the guide.

The outcome of the review will either be:

• Upheld – post status is set to Moderated and not visible on the site. The post is retained in the database for any possible legal ramifications.
• Dismissed – post status reverts to Live and is again visible on the site.
• Escalated– post is passed along to a more senior moderator for review.

The moderator may or may not pass along feedback to the complainant although the expectation is not a back-n-forth debate but an explanation of the assessment.

Serious violations will be escalated internally at the moderator’s sole discretion and possibly referred to external authorities such as Police, ASIC or lawyers.

Consequences for the author of a reported post

Each member has a database field to track how many posts have been reported including a history of assessments.

Where a moderator believes that a member is not participating in good faith, or is being flippant with the Code that exists to maintain high standards, then the following actions may be taken:

• Probation – account status set to Probation mode (posts be screened before release). Karma reduced by 10%.
• Yellow Card – Account suspended for 14 days. Read only mode. Karma reduced by 20%.  
• Red Card – Account permanently banned. Posts remain on the site with the exception of the reported post.

In deciding a Yellow or Red card, factors that will be taken into account include the number of reported posts (pattern of behaviour) or the severity, such as racism and anything illegal.

For the member who reports a post

Firstly, thank you for attempting to uphold the community standards. We salute you!

In the unlikely situation where a member is reporting posts for their own self-interest or attempting to game the system, the consequences above can be applied by moderators. The database tracks how many posts each member has reported and this will be reviewed particularly when assessments are upheld.

Trigger # 2 – Formal complaint, letter of demand or notice of concerns

These triggers are escalated to senior management and possibly external legal review. Example triggers here include but not limited to: 

• Anything illegal
• Defamation
• Fraud
• Police warrant
• ASIC enquiry or investigation.

Offending posts will automatically be withdrawn from the site by a moderator and the poster will be Yellow carded until the review has been completed.

Where we engage our lawyers to review we will consider the advice of our lawyers.

To the maximum extent possible taking into account our commercial interests, legal advice or obligations, we will comply with any legal warrant, enquiry or investigation including handing over relevant material or your personal details as required to comply with the law.

To the maximum extent permissible by law, the full legal consequences will be directed at the poster and not the operators of the platform.

Trigger # 3 – Random reviews

Moderators may, from time to time, randomly view the forums looking for breaches of the Code where the offending material has not been reported by other members. The moderator will Report the post and the process will be as per above.

Trigger # 4 – Screening posts whilst in probation

Probation is a database flag applied to members that have either not upheld the Code or are just starting out:

• Karma is negative
• Had a post reported and the assessment upheld
• Yellow carded

Members in probation cannot cast a vote but can post. Each post whilst in probation will not automatically go live but instead enter a moderation queue.

Reporting Posts 

Posts can sometimes be emotionally charged or of a critical nature whilst not breaching the Code nor defamatory. This will happen and is a fact of life, online or in person. This is not grounds to report a post and quite possibly not even grounds to downvote.

Where the post is at odds with our Code then please go ahead and report the post. Examples here include being rude, name calling, bullying, harassment and so on. Please refresh yourself on the Code as to what is and is not acceptable in terms of our community standards.

Remember, freedom of speech does not extend to breaking the law or harming the rights of others. You are accountable for what you post.

How to Report a post

Where you see an offending post, click the three vertical dots on the top right-hand corner of the post ‘card’. Follow the prompts from there.

How lodge a formal complaint, including defamation

1. Follow the process above to report a post, rendering it hidden to other users.
2. You will receive an email to your registered email address citing a case or ticket number.
3. Send your formal complaint in writing (PDF preferred) to support@bullseye.net.au. You will be given an automatic reply to indicate that it has been received. Do not send a postal copy or courier any correspondence to our office. With remote working there is a fair to reasonable chance your mail will be sitting in an in-tray for a long time.
    

What to do and not do if your post is reported

If you have a post reported please follow these guidelines:

1. Please accept the umpire’s decision and play on, taking onboard any comments given in the assessment.
2. If you feel you need to appeal then please clearly and calmly respond to the moderator’s comments, noting they are time precious and not looking for an angry email war nor a new pen pal.
3. Any taunting, threats, rude or aggressive behaviour will be Yellow carded at the moderator’s sole discretion, or escalated to a senior moderator for possible Red Carding. Moderators do not have to put up with that sort of nonsense.
4. If you feel the moderator is not acting in the best interests of the community then you may wish to lodge a formal complaint.

Final Word

The platform exists to help people become better investors. Wherever possible our moderators will run the boundary line and let Karma regulate content, stopping play only under the circumstances described above.

Moderation can be a tricky business, often emotionally charged. Moderators are doing their job to help uphold the high standards and might sometimes make mistakes, as all humans do. If you feel you need to, appeal with reason and logic but accept just like in sport that the umpire’s call is final even though they may get it wrong sometimes.

Senior management will be very unlikely to reverse a decision and intervene only in serious cases.

Enjoy the site, learn a thing or two, participate constructively, be nice and stick to the Code. It is clearly written for readability and recall.