User Comment Guidelines
Last Updated: September 13, 2025
Purpose of Comments
The comments section is for civil, respectful discussion, sharing perspectives, and asking relevant questions; not for harassment or spam.
Respectful Conduct
- No hate speech, racism, sexism, homophobia, or discrimination.
- No personal attacks, insults, or harassment of authors, readers, or public figures.
- No threatening or violent language.
Stay on Topic
- Comments must relate to the article.
- Off-topic comments, irrelevant links, or repetitive posting may be removed.
- Misinformation and conspiracy theories are not allowed.
Spam and Promotions
- Spam, advertisements, and self-promotion are prohibited.
- Do not post links solely to drive traffic to external sites.
- Repeated violations may result in bans.
Accuracy and Responsibility
- Support facts with credible sources when possible.
- Do not post misleading or false information.
- Each commenter is legally responsible for their statements.
Moderation Process
- Comments may be pre- or post-moderated depending on topic sensitivity.
- Moderators may edit or remove comments that violate rules.
- Repeat offenders may have privileges revoked.
User Privacy
- Do not share personal information (phone numbers, addresses, financial details).
- Comments exposing personal data may be deleted.
Legal Compliance
- Comments must comply with local and international laws.
- Content that incites violence, promotes illegal activity, or infringes copyright will be removed.
Appeals and Feedback
Appeal moderation decisions or provide feedback via moderation@southasianaffairs.com.
Final Authority
The editorial team has final say on moderation. Continued use signifies agreement to these rules.