Back in 2025, I started my own Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/politicsjerseydiscussions
Unlike some others, I have tried to design this to operate as a distinct tightly controlled environment designed specifically to counter the "wild west" nature of open public forums.
Because political spaces in small jurisdictions like Jersey can rapidly devolve into personal vendettas, spamming, and candidate smear campaigns during election seasons, the moderation enforces high-friction, automated, and manual Admin Assist rules.
I have also used post approval and posting limits per day when necessary to slow down posts.
One example was a post detailing the JEP investigation which exposed Terry Le Main behind an anonymous leaflet campaign against Reform. Initially this did not appear online in the JEP, so I bought a copy to verify it before I let the piece through.
The mechanics and reasoning behind how the group works are as follows:
1. The 10-Word Substance Requirement (No Bare Links or Images)
The Rule: Any link to external news sites (like the Jersey Evening Post or Bailiwick Express), uploaded campaign images, or manifestos will be automatically filtered or manually rejected unless accompanied by at least 10 words of context.
The Purpose: This stops "hit-and-run" posting and link-dumping. It forces the member to state their unique angle or question, encouraging constructive, text-driven dialogue over blind sharing or low-effort meme broadcasting.
2. Complete Ban on GIFs and Memes
The Rule: Visual comment replies using standard GIF keyboards or political memes are forbidden and automatically suppressed.
The Purpose: In heated discussions (such as the performance of Reform Jersey or the Value Jersey movement), GIFs are frequently weaponized to mock other users or derail complex local debates without offering an actual argument. It keeps the visual layout cleaner and more accessible.
3. Profanity Filters and "Bad Language" Settings
The Rule: Native Facebook keyword triggers are heavily utilized to auto-block and flag explicit swear words or highly aggressive vocabulary before they ever appear on the main timeline. [
The Purpose: The platform aims for an elevated standard of civility. It prevents the casual vulgarity often seen on broader social networks, keeping the focus strictly on local policy, housing costs, infrastructure, and election spending.
4. Zero Spam Tolerance and Content De-cluttering
The Rule: Duplicate posting of identical election articles, polling predictions, or media links is strictly policed. If a topic has already been posted, supplementary threads are closed down.
The Purpose: It prevents political organizations, pressure groups, or candidate campaigns from flooding the main dashboard feed to dominate visibility during voting weeks.
5. Automated Gatekeeping (Account Age & Membership Restrictions)
The Rule: Admin Assist protocols reject or heavily vet joining requests from Facebook profiles that are newly created or have been on the platform for under a certain number of years.
The Purpose: This is a vital shield against sockpuppet accounts and election bot farms. In localized Jersey elections, troll accounts are often spun up overnight to safely slander local politicians anonymously. Requiring an established account profile ensures that participants are real people with a digital track record.
6. The 50-Comment Surge Rule:
One of the most effective automated triggers utilized by the group is an Admin Assist rule that automatically locks a thread if it receives 50 or more comments within a single hour. This immediately halts fast-escalating arguments, giving human moderators time to review the content before a digital "pile-on" occurs.
Group Dynamic vs. Open Platforms
The aim of this highly structured approach is to create a safe space for which in some ways resembles a coffee table discussion group or a letters to the editor page. It is design not to be fast-paced, chaotic, and reactive.
My aim was to attract detail-oriented voters who want to discuss actual policy and not casual browsers looking for quick local drama.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/politicsjerseydiscussions
Unlike some others, I have tried to design this to operate as a distinct tightly controlled environment designed specifically to counter the "wild west" nature of open public forums.
Because political spaces in small jurisdictions like Jersey can rapidly devolve into personal vendettas, spamming, and candidate smear campaigns during election seasons, the moderation enforces high-friction, automated, and manual Admin Assist rules.
I have also used post approval and posting limits per day when necessary to slow down posts.
One example was a post detailing the JEP investigation which exposed Terry Le Main behind an anonymous leaflet campaign against Reform. Initially this did not appear online in the JEP, so I bought a copy to verify it before I let the piece through.
The mechanics and reasoning behind how the group works are as follows:
1. The 10-Word Substance Requirement (No Bare Links or Images)
The Rule: Any link to external news sites (like the Jersey Evening Post or Bailiwick Express), uploaded campaign images, or manifestos will be automatically filtered or manually rejected unless accompanied by at least 10 words of context.
The Purpose: This stops "hit-and-run" posting and link-dumping. It forces the member to state their unique angle or question, encouraging constructive, text-driven dialogue over blind sharing or low-effort meme broadcasting.
2. Complete Ban on GIFs and Memes
The Rule: Visual comment replies using standard GIF keyboards or political memes are forbidden and automatically suppressed.
The Purpose: In heated discussions (such as the performance of Reform Jersey or the Value Jersey movement), GIFs are frequently weaponized to mock other users or derail complex local debates without offering an actual argument. It keeps the visual layout cleaner and more accessible.
3. Profanity Filters and "Bad Language" Settings
The Rule: Native Facebook keyword triggers are heavily utilized to auto-block and flag explicit swear words or highly aggressive vocabulary before they ever appear on the main timeline. [
The Purpose: The platform aims for an elevated standard of civility. It prevents the casual vulgarity often seen on broader social networks, keeping the focus strictly on local policy, housing costs, infrastructure, and election spending.
4. Zero Spam Tolerance and Content De-cluttering
The Rule: Duplicate posting of identical election articles, polling predictions, or media links is strictly policed. If a topic has already been posted, supplementary threads are closed down.
The Purpose: It prevents political organizations, pressure groups, or candidate campaigns from flooding the main dashboard feed to dominate visibility during voting weeks.
5. Automated Gatekeeping (Account Age & Membership Restrictions)
The Rule: Admin Assist protocols reject or heavily vet joining requests from Facebook profiles that are newly created or have been on the platform for under a certain number of years.
The Purpose: This is a vital shield against sockpuppet accounts and election bot farms. In localized Jersey elections, troll accounts are often spun up overnight to safely slander local politicians anonymously. Requiring an established account profile ensures that participants are real people with a digital track record.
6. The 50-Comment Surge Rule:
One of the most effective automated triggers utilized by the group is an Admin Assist rule that automatically locks a thread if it receives 50 or more comments within a single hour. This immediately halts fast-escalating arguments, giving human moderators time to review the content before a digital "pile-on" occurs.
Group Dynamic vs. Open Platforms
The aim of this highly structured approach is to create a safe space for which in some ways resembles a coffee table discussion group or a letters to the editor page. It is design not to be fast-paced, chaotic, and reactive.
My aim was to attract detail-oriented voters who want to discuss actual policy and not casual browsers looking for quick local drama.
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