Should forum users disclose company connections?

On the ASX, companies are required to disclose material relationships and conflicts of interest. As transparency protects investors and builds trust.

But on anonymous forums like this, you never really know who you’re engaging with. Some posts read more like company PR than a shareholder opinion, repeating the same slogans and phrases, dismissing fair questions, and attacking anyone who challenges the narrative. Without ever saying whether there’s any formal or informal connection to the company.

So it seems fair to ask: Should forum users disclose company connections?

And if someone posting here does have even an informal link to the company, wouldn’t transparency on that link help everyone?

After all, even Brainchip has publicly acknowledged the influence of forums in its own social media strategy at one point advertising a role sp
ecifically focused on 'engaging with investor discussion online'.

If you’re just a regular shareholder, with nothing to disclose then fair enough.

But if there is a company connection, even informal, then why not just be upfront about it?

On the market, disclosure is standard because it helps maintain trust. Why should it be any different here?

My opinion , dyor