The next innovation, in 1984, was the concept of a "moderated" newsgroup.

[See] [Usenet newsgroup] "The first moderated newsgroups appeared in 1984 under mod.* according to RFC 2235, "Hobbes' Internet Timeline". "

Originally, anywo could access a particular newsgroup and post text messages on it.

A newsgroup's list of messages might begin with a "do's and don't's" guide, but there was no way to enforce such rules.

As newsgroups grew in popularity, bad behavior emerged.

With a moderated newsgroup, the software delivered all new postings to wo or more designated moderators, who would accept or deny each posting.