Who Controls the Community Voice?

A few years ago the people living in the Augusta-Margaret River Shire demonstrated an unprecedented level of concern regarding the activities of their local government. Within a very short time a FB page was created and 678 people "liked" the page and the majority also "liked" the page content as the months went by.
So why is the page moribund now?
Even if the entire AMRShire community was satisfied with local government, and state government, and the state of the environment, and how the world is treating refugees, local hardwood trees, and sharks and white bellied frogs there must surely be something the community might like to share? (Apart from people wanting to sell their goods, services and events)
But wait - someone has spied an opportunity, and is going for it.

Leo O'Hagen has set up a FB group, very similar to the concept of Augusta-Margaret River Community Voice (AMRCV) except that he does not want the voice of Augusta chiming in, and possibly anyone south of Witchcliffe would be a tad too rustic for Leo's taste. But we can only assess Leo by what he has written in the preamble to his Margaret River Community Voice page and the posts he has included.

The description of his Voice;

"Margaret River Community Voice (Express your views on local and international issues)."

That description does not sound too different to the AMRCV page, but Leo has placed a significant DISCLAIMER to explain the following;

You agree, through use of this Facebook page:

– That you will not post any material which is knowingly false and/or defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, threatening, invasive of a person’s privacy, or which otherwise breaches any law;

– That advertisements, chain letters, pyramid schemes, and solicitations constitute inappropriate use of the forum. However, if you can offer expertise, guidance or information on given subjects, please do so, but do not offer this advice as an attempt to sell your own product or service. Any attempt to solicit customers may result in removal from this page.

– Given that posts appear in real-time, it is impossible for MRCV to review a post before it becomes publicly readable. MRCV cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any post. MRCV does actively monitor posts, but is not responsible for the content of posts. A post expresses the views of its author and does not represent the views of MRCV and MRCV shall not be liable for any postings.

– That you are solely responsible for the content of your post and you indemnify MRCV in respect of any costs, expenses, losses, damages, or claims arising out of your use of this forum. MRCV reserves the right to reveal your identity in the event of any complaint or legal action arising from any person posting a message. By contributing to this forum, you consent to your post being altered, edited, or adapted in any way MRCV sees fit or removed without providing any reason.

– Any user who has an objection to a post is encouraged to contact the Facebook moderator, on leo@theswan.net.au Please contact the moderator directly and not through Facebook itself.

Leo clearly fears that advertisements might appear, which is a valid concern given that the AMRCV page has ceased to be a forum that shares interesting, provocative, informative or controversial matters and now has nothing more stimulating than advertisements for low paid service jobs and events. The recent advertisement for a Barrister did create a frisson of excitement, but was short lived and it was just a misunderstanding about what was required to serve in a coffee shop.

However, Leo is not averse to advertising 'The Swan', an online entity for which he takes credit as editor. This raises doubts as to the purpose of his group. Will they emerge as the true voice of Margaret River? Is it a cynical exercise aimed at driving traffic to The Swan? Does The Swan even have integrity as an online publication, would it publish anything that did not align with Leo O'Hagen's views? 

Anyone feeling they are being hassled can also complain about material appearing on Leo's FB page. Leo hasn't explained how he would adjudicate on hassling issues, but he does request that complaints are channeled through him rather than FB. Why?

This issue of control regarding what might be seen as "hassle" is important because anyone receiving criticism will feel hassled, but criticism is what improves anything from the first draft of a book to a system of local government. Without criticism improvements will not happen. Russell Brand is constantly hassling politicians - should he be silenced?

Maybe the Margaret River Community Voice and The Swan are media channels for Polyannas and that's why O'Hagan did not wish to be associated with any critical views that could arise from AMRCV?

It might be worth lurking around to see how the group evolves, but be careful if you join the group and consider asking Leo why a second Voice is needed when 678 people are already signed up to AMRCV?

Only Leo knows the truth, and the southern half of the shire has just as many Fremantle folk as the the MR townsite. Augusta even has Jim McGinty and you can't get more Fremantle than him.