Hiding off-topic discussions would be one more step in getting this freedom of expression thing under control. We want everyone to appear to be supporting Maemo even if they don't, and we don't want a bunch of radicals discussing just anything they feel like discussing. We can't come right out and ban them -- too obvious -- but we can do what we can to hide their discussions so other radicals don't know they are happening.
What remains of ITT is slowly being killed off. As Hal would say, "I can feel it...I can feel it."