Sparky
Babyface
I'm sure you'll all be aware that ffnet have removed our beloved U2 fanfiction. In fact, they've removed ALL Music Groups. I have taken it upon myself to send them an email of complaint, a copy of which I will include below:
/////Dear fanfiction.net,
I would like to register my disappointment at the way that the staff of fanfiction.net have deemed it necessary to remove entire sections from the fanfiction website.
I had visited the website on the 11th of September and found that the site would remain closed as a mark of respect for the victims of 9/11 2001, something which I absolutely respect and of course, do not criticise. However, on returning to the site on today, the 13th, I was shocked, if not horrified, to find that the Music Groups categories had been removed.
Of course, I understand that some people may have found fiction written about real people disagreeable, and that complaints must be taken into account. However, I do feel that, as with all fanfiction stories, no reader is forced to read stories they do not agree with. It is perfectly obvious that categories entitled 'Music Groups' will contain stories about real people, and as with genres and topics of a possibly disagreeable content such as slash, it is purely voluntary to read these stories. Only those wishing to read will do. Therefore, it is my personal view that stories about Music Groups were, on the most part, inoffensive and were merely a way for fans to register their love of their favourite musical stars.
As with every category on fanfiction.net, offensive and abusive stories will always be written by a small minority. If these rare stories are the reason for the removal of the Music Groups (and other real-life) categories, it is a gross injustice to punish the well-behaved majority because of a small minority of authors who flout the rules.
However, I do obviously understand that if any complaints have been received from the subjects of these fandoms (for instance, from bands annoyed with the stories written about them), then the category concerning that band should be removed, as no offence to bands or persons contained in the stories is intended by the majority of fans. But, surely complaints could not have been received from all the groups written about.
If, however, it was absolutely necessary to remove all Music Group categories (and other real life categories), would it not have been slightly more respectful to the authors and readers who have contributed to these categories to post a wanring before simply removing these categories?
These categories have, obviously already been removed, but would it be possible for you to provide more information about whether the stories featured have been deleted or not?
I have been involved with fanfiction.net (whether as a reader or an author) for two years, and when I first discovered the site, I believed I had found the one site on the internet where one could write fiction and 'unleash' one's imagination without being controlled and dictated to. However, I have witnessed respectable (nay, brilliant) authors being dismissed for minor offences, authors being charged for bringing fanfiction to the world, and more and more rules and regulations imposed. I was under the impression that freedom of speech and enjoyment were some of the key principles behind fanfiction.net. I was obviously wrong.
This is a very poor way to repay the dedication and loyalty of thousands of authors and readers.
With respect,
Hannah Thomas (author names; Elentari, Sparky and The Fly, Matrix14) /////
I will also be organising a petition to restore the Music Groups fanfiction. Even if not to restore the category, to make fanfiction.net aware of how angry we are.
Anyone wishing to comment or be included in the petition, please reply.
/////Dear fanfiction.net,
I would like to register my disappointment at the way that the staff of fanfiction.net have deemed it necessary to remove entire sections from the fanfiction website.
I had visited the website on the 11th of September and found that the site would remain closed as a mark of respect for the victims of 9/11 2001, something which I absolutely respect and of course, do not criticise. However, on returning to the site on today, the 13th, I was shocked, if not horrified, to find that the Music Groups categories had been removed.
Of course, I understand that some people may have found fiction written about real people disagreeable, and that complaints must be taken into account. However, I do feel that, as with all fanfiction stories, no reader is forced to read stories they do not agree with. It is perfectly obvious that categories entitled 'Music Groups' will contain stories about real people, and as with genres and topics of a possibly disagreeable content such as slash, it is purely voluntary to read these stories. Only those wishing to read will do. Therefore, it is my personal view that stories about Music Groups were, on the most part, inoffensive and were merely a way for fans to register their love of their favourite musical stars.
As with every category on fanfiction.net, offensive and abusive stories will always be written by a small minority. If these rare stories are the reason for the removal of the Music Groups (and other real-life) categories, it is a gross injustice to punish the well-behaved majority because of a small minority of authors who flout the rules.
However, I do obviously understand that if any complaints have been received from the subjects of these fandoms (for instance, from bands annoyed with the stories written about them), then the category concerning that band should be removed, as no offence to bands or persons contained in the stories is intended by the majority of fans. But, surely complaints could not have been received from all the groups written about.
If, however, it was absolutely necessary to remove all Music Group categories (and other real life categories), would it not have been slightly more respectful to the authors and readers who have contributed to these categories to post a wanring before simply removing these categories?
These categories have, obviously already been removed, but would it be possible for you to provide more information about whether the stories featured have been deleted or not?
I have been involved with fanfiction.net (whether as a reader or an author) for two years, and when I first discovered the site, I believed I had found the one site on the internet where one could write fiction and 'unleash' one's imagination without being controlled and dictated to. However, I have witnessed respectable (nay, brilliant) authors being dismissed for minor offences, authors being charged for bringing fanfiction to the world, and more and more rules and regulations imposed. I was under the impression that freedom of speech and enjoyment were some of the key principles behind fanfiction.net. I was obviously wrong.
This is a very poor way to repay the dedication and loyalty of thousands of authors and readers.
With respect,
Hannah Thomas (author names; Elentari, Sparky and The Fly, Matrix14) /////
I will also be organising a petition to restore the Music Groups fanfiction. Even if not to restore the category, to make fanfiction.net aware of how angry we are.
Anyone wishing to comment or be included in the petition, please reply.
