Are you about to moderate a discussion? Be sure that you are prepared to guarantee that each side has an equal amount of time and an equal ability to present their point of view.

In a public forum

A participant may raise a potentially problematic issue that could arouse negative feelings for one side in a public forum. In such a case, the moderator has to make an important decision:

• He may disallow that posting
• He may allow the posting, while posting equal and equivalent statements from the opposite side

The moderator must plan this decision before the initial posting of the problematic issue. He may then choose to limit the discussion, and to terminate it after both sides have had an equal say - possibly after only one statement.

Discussions of any size, in any venue

Granted, one or both sides may ask for additional time after presenting their case:

• They may want to offer further clarification of an issue
• They may want to take a stronger stand
• They may want to raise issues that they did not think about previously
• They may want to respond to a statement that was presented by an opponent

At his discretion, the moderator may decide whether to permit a rejoinder and to pursue the discussion, or whether to terminate the discussion at that point. There must be equality at each stage, so that any statement that is presented for one side will receive an equal response from the other side.

The moderator does have a bit of wiggle room at this point.

• He may help the responder understand how to present a complete response
• He may stipulate that the responder must present a full case at this time, since he may have only one opportunity to respond

What happens if one side is incapable of presenting their point of view in a cogent and forceful manner, while the second side is capable of doing so? C'est la vie.

Is this fair?

Well, as long as the moderator or discussion leader has done his part, there is no reason for concern or regret. Any fight, disagreement, debate, or battle is likely to have a stronger and a weaker side. The stronger side does have an advantage.

Although it may not be politically correct to have winners and losers in today's society, the fact is that people do have differing abilities to present arguments.

Equality should not mean a guarantee that both sides will be declared winners. It is more likely to mean that both sides should have the possibility of winning, depending on their skills and the justification of their cause.

On the other hand, the moderator should help the sides make decisions based on their merits, and not on their debating ability.

The superior moderator

A superior moderator will not simply exclude irrelevant or problematic statements. He will also take steps to assure that the weaker side understands and wields the tools that are available in order to present a cogent and forceful argument.

That does not mean that the weaker side should be favored. It does mean that the moderator should do everything possible in order to assure fairness and equality.