Reddit, the popular social media platform, has recently made efforts to mend its relationship with its volunteer moderators. However, these attempts have been met with skepticism and criticism from the very people they are trying to appease. The unfolding drama resembles a real-life AITA (Am I The A**hole) post, with emotions running high on both sides.
Renewed Efforts by Reddit: In a post to r/modnews on a recent Wednesday, a Reddit employee, who identified themselves as the VP of Community (listed as Laura Nester on Reddit), announced the company’s intention to work more closely with its volunteer moderators. The plan is to host twice-weekly virtual feedback sessions with the mods from July 25 until October 17. The aim of these sessions is to address the needs of users, mods, admins, and communities, including discussions on how subreddits should be governed.
The Importance of Moderators: In the post, the Reddit employee acknowledged the vital role that moderators play on the platform, describing them as leaders and stewards of their respective communities. However, this appreciation seems to have fallen on deaf ears, as many moderators remain unconvinced by Reddit’s recent actions.
Past Controversy: The relationship between Reddit and its moderators took a significant hit when Reddit CEO Steve Huffman compared the moderators to “Landed Gentry.” This controversial analogy sparked widespread protests among moderators against Reddit’s decision to charge developers for API access, causing the demise of popular third-party apps like Apollo and BaconReader.
Skepticism and Doubts: The recent efforts by Reddit to engage with moderators through feedback sessions have been met with skepticism and doubt. Many moderators are questioning the sincerity of the company’s intentions, especially in light of previous decisions that seemed to disregard their concerns and feedback.
The Impact of Reddit’s Actions: Some moderators expressed frustration, questioning the value of their feedback when Reddit appears unresponsive to their input. They criticized Reddit’s CEO for dismissing their opinions and actions, leading to a breakdown in trust between the parties involved.
Need for Genuine Engagement: Reddit has urged moderators to join the Reddit Mod Council and the Partner Community program. However, the response from moderators has been lukewarm, indicating a lack of faith in these initiatives.
Long Road to Reconciliation: The relationship between Reddit and its moderators has been severely damaged, and the recent attempt to reconcile seems to have done little to mend the rift. The disconnect between the platform’s executives and its volunteer moderators is evident, leaving both parties dissatisfied with the current state of affairs.
Reddit’s efforts to make amends with its moderators have been met with resistance and distrust. The platform’s CEO’s past comments and the company’s seemingly dismissive attitude towards feedback have left moderators feeling undervalued and ignored. Rebuilding the relationship between Reddit and its moderators will require genuine engagement, transparency, and a willingness to address their concerns effectively. Only then can Reddit hope to restore trust and foster a more positive and collaborative environment for all users.
