A RETIRED professor has claimed he has been "banned from Reddit" after sharing posts from his pro-Scotland blog.
John Robertson, who worked in the University of the West of Scotland’s cultural industries school until 2016, runs the Talking-Up Scotland blog which focuses on perceived media bias.
He has claimed in his latest post that he had been banned from the social media site without explanation.
Reddit clarified to The National that Robertson has not been banned from the website altogether, just the subreddit r/Scotland by the moderators of that community.
READ MORE: Blackford says 'lengthy queue' for EU will not get in Scotland's way
Robertson – who stressed he had never been thrown off a social media site before – said he can see no way to challenge the move but has encouraged his followers to ask why it has happened.
He claimed the ban followed him posting a picture (below) showing a satirical "BBC" headline he had written about Nicola Sturgeon.
On his blog he posted: “I’ve never been even reprimanded mildly, far less banned, by Twitter, Facebook or WordPress but, today, I’ve been banned from Reddit.
“I’ve been reposting the same content from my blog on r/Scotland, as Carridon90 (no one on Reddit used their real name) for a few weeks now much to the annoyance of some, who have sworn at me, called me a ghoul, suggested I have mental health problems and called for the moderator to pull me. I do not remember ever being abusive.
“Anyhow, I’ve been banned and my four bairns are now proud of me.
“I can see no way to challenge the ban but perhaps a few of your could go on https://www.reddit.com/r/Scotland/submit and ask why Carridon90 has been banned?"
Robertson said he is awaiting clarification from Reddit about why he has been removed from the site.
Reddit declined to comment beyond clarifying that Robertson has not been banned from the main site, just the subreddit r/Scotland.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel