Jeeves shows his true colours

We recently requested the Ask Jeeves! search engine to list the UKMM and Cheltenham Group websites on their  listings.

We were refused, with the preposterous excuse "I'm afraid I shall not pass them on for submission: the content is inappropriate and is likely to cause offence to women", even though Ask Jeeves! lists about 7,000 women's/feminist organisations, including e.g. SCUM (Society for Cutting Up Men).

We can think of no more blatant and outrageous editorial discrimination.

Extracts from our emails to Ask Jeeves! are below (left), with the article which the Daily Telegraph ran on Tuesday 28 November 2000 (right).

Subsequent to the Daily Telegraph article, we received a phone call from Ask Jeeves! and were assured that the UKMM website would be listed under their 'popularity'. So fairness was only obtained by publicity.

Selecting 'popular questions' and inserting 'men's rights' now (checked at 2 Jan 2001) shows UKMM top of the list.

> From: James Corbett <[email protected]>
> To: 'Barry Peter Worrall' <[email protected]>
> Sent: Thursday, November 23, 2000 10:26
> Subject: RE: Getting my site listed on Ask Jeeves.

> > Thanks Barry,
> >
> > Just taken a look at the sites.
> >
> > I'm afraid I shall not pass them on for submission: the content is inappropriate and is likely to cause offence to women.
> >
> > Best wishes,
> >
> > James.
> >

===========================================

> > From: Barry Peter Worrall [mailto:[email protected]]
> > Sent: Wednesday, November 22, 2000 8:22 PM
> > To: James Corbett
> > Subject: Fw: Getting my site listed on Ask Jeeves.
> >
> >
> > Hello James,
> >
> > Thanks for your reply. There are two associated organisations with websites, and we'd like them both listed.
> >
> > UK Men's Movement (UKMM) - www.ukmm.org.uk
> > The Cheltenham Group - www.c-g.org.uk
> >
> > We hope you will find your own users will find these sites informative.
> >
> > If you decline to list them, perhaps you'll let me know why so that I can change things.
> >
> > Barry Worrall,
> >  Secretary & Webmaster, UKMM.

===========================================

> From: James Corbett <[email protected]>
> To: 'Barry Peter Worrall' <[email protected]>
> Sent: Wednesday, November 22, 2000 18:30
> Subject: RE: Getting my site listed on Ask Jeeves.
>
>
> > What is your url then?  Can't do much without it.
> >
> > Send it on, and we can take a look, but no promises, unfortunately.
> > Obviously, we have certain editorial guidelines and areas of interest which may or may not reflect the nature of your site.
> >
> > And keep trying - we receive 1,000s of url submissions each week, so your application has to grab us!
> >
> > Best wishes,
> > This email is confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual to whom it is addressed. Any views or opinions presented are Solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Ask Jeeves UK or any of its sister companies.
> >  If you are not the intended recipient, be advised that you have received
> > This email in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding,
printing,
> > or copying of this email is strictly prohibited.
> >
> > If you have received this email in error please notify the sender,
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> >

Acknowledgement : Daily Telegraph, 'Peterborough' column, Tuesday 28 November 2000