JUSTIFICATION:

IV. Justification of Readership:

The only existing thriving moderated newsgroup related to this subject is
not  dedicated exclusively to adult-only content and posts describing
children in sexual and/or violent situations are considered on-topic.
We believe that a forum for discussion focused on spanking as it
applies only to adults, and which rejects trolling and flaming posts,
would be beneficial to Usenet.  We also believe that the existence of
posts involving children discourages the participation of people who
would otherwise post but are uncomfortable doing so in environment
where the lines between adult sexuality and the involvement of
children are unclear.

A search from April 12, 2000 - July 12, 2000 for all posts on
soc.sexuality.spanking for all posts shows an average of 75 per day.

A search using the same date range on alt.sex.spanking, an unmoderated
group, and using the keyword ZZZ (which is the subject header used by
participants to separate valid posts from spam) shows an average of 8
posts per day.

A search using the same date range on the soc.subculture hierarchy
using the keyword "spank*" or "paddle" shows an average of 27 posts
per day.

With a total of 110 posts per day related to this subject, we believe
that there is sufficient activity to justify dividing the topic
further into an adult-only and non-flame content forum and believe it will
increase the number of posters willing to participate.

CHARTER FOLLOWS:

The focus of the newsgroup is discussion of spanking.

The group is a moderated forum for the mature discussion of spanking.

alt.sex.spanking.moderated is moderated by software and a backup team of
human moderators. Moderation is used only to ensure that the newsgroup
remain a viable venue for mature discussion.  A list of the moderator board
will be posted regularly on the newsgroup.

I.  Inappropriate Messages
The following types of messages are inappropriate for the newsgroup, and may
be grounds for rejection.

1.  Off-topic commercial messages and solicitations, commonly referred to as
Spam.

2.  Binaries

3.  Trolling - posts that appear to be designed solely to disrupt the group.

4.  Flames - vitriolic attacks on a personal level, including outing posts.
The moderators will post a definition of a flame from time to time, which
includes "traditional" USENET flames and posts designed to insult, attack,
annoy, or otherwise disrupt the newsgroup or a single poster.  These posts
should instead be posted to alt.flame.

5.  Messages that are crossposted to any other newsgroup.

6.  Posts from unapproved vendors advertising products that are not
specifically spanking-oriented.  Posts from an approved vendor that
advertises on the newsgroup more frequently than twice per month or who
advertises products or services not related to the topic of the newsgroup.

7.  Personals.

8.  Messages that include references to child-abuse or sex with children.
Messages containing spanking of children, with the exception
of stories containing the spanking of children that are at least 14.
Messages that discuss the real life contemporaneous spanking of children are
not allowed, while fantasies or recollections are appropriate.

Messages that discuss the appropriateness of spanking children are
prohibited and should be instead posted to alt.parenting.spanking.

9. Stories of extreme violence or mutilation - including, without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, maiming, mangling, disfiguring,
disemboweling or dismembering.  "Extreme violence" is also defined to
include severe spanking or extreme punishment producing damage or bleeding.
These posts should instead be posted to alt.sex.spanking,
soc.sexuality.spanking, or alt.sex.torture.

10.  Messages from posters on the automatic reject list.  This may include
messages from non approved advertisers and posters who violate the
guidelines listed above.

11. Administration or technical issues relating to the administration of the
newsgroup itself, except for announcements from the moderators.  Interested
persons may ask to be added to a mailing or discussion list for this
purpose.

12. Sockpuppets or messages designed to impersonate another poster.

II.  Moderation Team

The moderation team may be expanded as needed.

This charter may be amended should the majority of moderators vote that such
a change would be in the best interests of the group.

III.  Disclaimer

The moderators of alt.sex.spanking.moderated are not responsible for the
truthfulness or legality of any posts to alt.sex.spanking.moderated.
Approval of a post by automation or a human moderator is in no way an
endorsement of its content.  Posters assume full responsibility for the
content of their posts. Readers who use any information that appears in
alt.sex.spanking.moderated do so at their own risk.

Posters should be aware that not all posts are subject to human moderation,
and thus it is not possible to prevent some posts which should be rejected.