Exactly. There's a difference between building anticipation for something and giving a detailed run down of the entire storyline, complete with all twists, turns and suprises.

It's really not that difficult to grasp, is it?

I understand it was outed by some fan who should not have been at the screening in the first place. Journalists at least heard about ethics, but if you get there some sad 'fan' as a plus one (I am guessing) you get what you deserve. Make it more difficult for unwanted people to get there the next time.

The fan in question was invited, apparently after winning a competiton for a ticket to the screening. That's the problem, they were granted the privilege to see it before transmission, but threw it back in the faces of the programme makers by not respecting the perfectly reasonable request not to divulge the plot details.

That's the one Moffat has been complaining about, not fans in general.

Exactly. I have already said that I don't think that episodes should be previewed in front of an audience like a Press Screening and equally I don't think preview discs should be sent to anyone. There was a distinct problem on Gallifrey Base last year when someone who was writing for a TV magazine was giving away the whole plots without putting anything in spoiler tags. It caused a lot of antagonism between the writer and someone who complained openly. All the complainee got was that the writer was very good at plot accuracy and must neve ever be questioned. I don't particularly think that was ethical either. I've always thought myself that unless the episode has been broadcast then the poster's validity has to be qeustioned.

The complainee wasn't me. But he was very upset and hasn't frequented the board again.

I did not know that. Well, that will teach him a lesson to invite random people, relying on kindness of strangers in these times is crazy. There was always a chance that the person will talk. The best not give preferential treatment to anybody and all will be happy.

The thing is, Steven Moffat and his team are professionals, as were the press guests. I'm sure he's realistic enough not to expect anything to get out, but it's the way it was it done which has caused the upset, the whole plot was blown, and not just the odd bits and pieces that would normally be expected to get out.

In my opinion, It was a disrespectful, rude and selfish thing to do. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I believe in respecting confidentiality and having consideration for others.

If people want to know to spoilers and discuss them, all they have to do is keep it in spoiler sections, use tags and not put anything revealing in thread titles. It's not that difficult is it?

I just think those who deliberately go out of their way to spoil the viewing enjoyment of others are either selfish, or not very bright, and probably both.

I think the only way to prevent this is to only invite fans who are members of recognised (and respected) fan society eg DWAS (not exclusive), at least you SHOULD only get those respectful fans attending. DOn't put it out to the general public again Moff, they don't deserve it!

I know I'm going to get a lot of flack for this post, and FYI I am not a member of any DW fan society.

Just don't have press events. This is a modern invention. I don't think they had them back in the day - in the old days (before t'internet) we knew nothing, only the odd dribble from the tabloid press.

Well it wasn't the press that misbehaved. In fact Moffat has commented on how good the press were at keeping their word and not releasing story secrets. So I would not be surprised if they simply stop inviting members of the public *sad face*

The problem was seemingly caused by said person using their privileged status to gain some attention and promising to PM their own write-up to anyone who begged hard enough. One of those people then used a public posting to cause some trouble.

The lessons have been leant and it’s unlikely it would happen again… but then public ‘fan’ screenings are highly unlikely to happen again.

The way some are going on you would think this was the first time fans were allowed to attend screenings, which is totally false. It's just every other time those that went kept their traps shut. Fans attending screenings isn't the problem. It's one fans inability to keep their trap shut that is.

All those suggesting fans should not have been allowed to go to the screenings are effectively absolving the person that leaked the plot outline of any responsibility for their actions when fans have historically managed not to do what they did.

I was asked to Blog about this for my audio company. If anyone fancies reading my thoughts, you can find them here:

http://wirelessblogs.wordpress.com/2...y-jack-bowman/

A very apt write up. What MNS film were you referring to though?

I'll PM you. But it's definitely not The Happening either.