RIP:Freedom of speech

earpiece

Well, an opinion, whether you or I agree with or not, it looks like can get you locked up:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/mar/20/teenager-offensive-facebook-message-soldiers

"A teenager has denied posting a grossly offensive message on Facebook about the deaths in Afghanistan of six British soldiers whose bodies are due to return to the UK on Tuesday.
Azhar Ahmed, 19, appeared briefly at Dewsbury magistrates court in West Yorkshire, which was guarded by a heavy police presence as some 40 far-right demonstrators shouted abuse outside.
A racially aggravated public order charge was withdrawn and replaced with the new accusation under the 2003 Communications Act.

He will stand trail at Huddersfield magistrates court on 3 July."




Clearly he wrote something more than 'your ma'!


Any thoughts?

Eric Cartman

Disgusting policing of free speech by the PC brigade , You should be able to say anything , no matter how offensive on the internet and not fear conviction

AnonoBoy

Try shouting 'fire' in a crowded concert venue and see what people think of your freedom of speech then....

AnonoBoy

Eric Cartman wrote: »

Disgusting policing of free speech by the PC brigade , You should be able to say anything , no matter how offensive on the internet and not fear conviction

So I can post your personal address, phone number and photo and call you a rapist and that's ok? Deadly!

Kensington

It is my opinion that earpiece, here, is a child molestor and eats newborn babies for breakfast.

Free speech buddy!

Ghandee

earpiece wrote: »

Any thoughts?

Yes.

The Brits shouldnt be in Afghanistan.

If they werent over there, the deaths wouldnt have happened.

Death is a possibilty of war, a possibilty every Brit soldier should be aware of when signing up to the army.

Kylo Ren

AnonoBoy wrote: »

Try shouting 'fire' in a crowded concert venue and see what people think of your freedom of speech then....

But not at an Arcade Fire concert. The results will be disappointingly different.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

what he said wasn't even that offensive
iirc it was something like "cry all you want about your soldiers, what about all the afghan children that have died recently"

maybe a bit more inflammatory but it's ****ing incredible that he has been arrested for it
the uk has really fallen down low in recent times.

baltimore sun

I don't get why newspaper don't report what he said.

af_thefragile

Freedom comes with responsibility.

Eric Cartman

AnonoBoy wrote: »

Eric Cartman wrote: »

Disgusting policing of free speech by the PC brigade , You should be able to say anything , no matter how offensive on the internet and not fear conviction

So I can post your personal address, phone number and photo and call you a rapist and that's ok? Deadly!

If you wish to do that on the internet then i suppose feel free . If you did it on boards.ie youd be breaking the rules here , but if you found another site which allowed it i suppose you could.

Stercus Accidit

http://www.sabotagetimes.com/wp-content/uploads/azharahmed-1.jpeg

That is what he said, that should not be a crime and he should never have been arrested in the first place.

Eric Cartman

Stercus Accidit wrote: »

http://www.sabotagetimes.com/wp-content/uploads/azharahmed-1.jpeg

That is what he said, that should not be a crime and he should never have been arrested in the first place.

Hes right

saa

Yeah I'm sure he didn't make a political comment on the waste of life if it was probably something down right nasty, but then again it was probably something stupid on his facebook that has no effect on the families or wider society, I am a little bit iffy about our social networks being policed, but curious as to what he said and why would he be such a dope to publish it on the internet with his name, photo and IP address linked to it.

CardBordWindow

Penis

AnonoBoy

Eric Cartman wrote: »

If you wish to do that on the internet then i suppose feel free . If you did it on boards.ie youd be breaking the rules here , but if you found another site which allowed it i suppose you could.

If I set up my own website and decided the rules were "AnonoBoy can say what he wants about Eric Cartman" then you'd be ok with that and think it was fair?

I imagine you'd be running for the law pretty rapid now son, but pretend that you wouldn't all you like. :rolleyes:

Nodin

Stercus Accidit wrote: »

http://www.sabotagetimes.com/wp-content/uploads/azharahmed-1.jpeg

That is what he said, that should not be a crime and he should never have been arrested in the first place.

How the hell did they hold him with a "racially aggravated public order charge" for that? He was a different race and they reckoned he was aggravating?

Wile E. Coyote

saa wrote: »

but curious as to what he said and why would he be such a dope to publish it on the internet with his name, photo and IP address linked to it.

It was half truth, half opinion. Why shouldn't he post it?

flanders1979

Lately I was sent off in a match for practicing free speech.
I informed the referee that his body mass index was too high and that his parents were not married when he was born.

Micky Dolenz

Is it coz he is black?

Stercus Accidit

Nodin wrote: »

How the hell did they hold him with a "racially aggravated public order charge" for that? He was a different race and they reckoned he was aggravating?

I'm guessing plod didn't like the sentiment expressed in the posting and initiated proceedings, I don't see this lad being convicted but he should never have been arrested either.

ghostchant

Eric Cartman wrote: »

Hes right

Which part? The first part or the bit where he starts using all capitals?

Eric Cartman

AnonoBoy wrote: »

Eric Cartman wrote: »

If you wish to do that on the internet then i suppose feel free . If you did it on boards.ie youd be breaking the rules here , but if you found another site which allowed it i suppose you could.

If I set up my own website and decided the rules were "AnonoBoy can say what he wants about Eric Cartman" then you'd be ok with that and think it was fair?

I imagine you'd be running for the law pretty rapid now son, but pretend that you wouldn't all you like. :rolleyes:

Go on then , Im a believer in free speech, and I have to defend it , even if it comes with negatives for me .

Seachmall

AnonoBoy wrote: »

I imagine you'd be running for the law pretty rapid now son, but pretend that you wouldn't all you like. :rolleyes:

What he would think after you had called him a rapist online is completely irrelevant.

44leto

There is freedom of speech but there are also laws against incitement to hatred and offensiveness.

I can't stand up in the middle of O Connell street and rant off about blacks, foreigners etc, I would arrested and rightly so.

But keyboard warriors rant off in public all the time thinking they are anonymous and they are, till the police want you. People you are never truly anonymous or invisible on the internet.

Eric Cartman

ghostchant wrote: »

Eric Cartman wrote: »

Hes right

Which part? The first part or the bit where he starts using all capitals?

The first part before text spk where he says 'dey shud all fukn die'

JerryHandbag

Delighted to see a little keyboard warrior cretin get in trouble over his twitter comments about the footballer Muamba who was critically ill over the weekend.

In fairness theres a difference between free speech and being an evil, malicious, vindictive arsehole. For instance, this twat needs to be thrown in a hole away from a computer.

Wile E. Coyote

AnonoBoy wrote: »

If I set up my own website and decided the rules were "AnonoBoy can say what he wants about Eric Cartman" then you'd be ok with that and think it was fair?

I imagine you'd be running for the law pretty rapid now son, but pretend that you wouldn't all you like. :rolleyes:

If you published a blatent lie for all to see about an individual person then of course they're within they're rights to go to the law and have it removed but chances of you actually being prosecuted would be slim to none.

What this lad posted was his opinion and would have been only viewed by his contacts. Obviously one of them took offense but he shouldn't have been arrested for it.

ghostchant

Eric Cartman wrote: »

The first part before text spk where he says 'dey shud all fukn die'

I'm thinking that's the part that landed him in trouble though.

AnonoBoy

Eric Cartman wrote: »

Go on then , Im a believer in free speech, and I have to defend it , even if it comes with negatives for me .

I don't believe you for one minute to be honest but I'll play along.

So you only believe in this on the internet, is that right?

What about in real life? If I announce loudly in the pub that that guy over there Eric Cartman, rapes dogs, fiddles with grannies and has a nasty VD - then you'd just think, "Well freedom of speech lets him say this."

Do you actually think that's what freedom of speech protects? There's not a country in the world where it means that you can say absolutely anything you want.

Seachmall

JerryHandbag wrote: »

Delighted to see a little keyboard warrior cretin get in trouble over his twitter comments about the footballer Muamba who was critically ill over the weekend.

In fairness theres a difference between free speech and being an evil, malicious, vindictive arsehole. For instance, this twat needs to be thrown in a hole away from a computer.

The whole point of free speech laws are to prevent you from shushing someone because you don't like what they have to say.

Rarely do people need to rely on free speech laws except for when they're being an evil, malicious, vindictive arsehole.

Nodin

JerryHandbag wrote: »

Delighted to see a little keyboard warrior cretin get in trouble over his twitter comments about the footballer Muamba who was critically ill over the weekend.

In fairness theres a difference between free speech and being an evil, malicious, vindictive arsehole. For instance, this twat needs to be thrown in a hole away from a computer.

Amazing.....Twitter allows them to troll a country.

Gbear

AnonoBoy wrote: »

If I set up my own website and decided the rules were "AnonoBoy can say what he wants about Eric Cartman" then you'd be ok with that and think it was fair?

I imagine you'd be running for the law pretty rapid now son, but pretend that you wouldn't all you like. :rolleyes:

Stating your opinion of somebody doesn't affect their right to a good name.
It's up to others to decide whether they value your opinion or not.

Criminalising stupid speech causes it to stay internally and fester.
The best way to fight racist/hateful or other damaging speech is to expose it to sunlight and let everyone see what an idiot the person saying it is.

Micky Dolenz

JerryHandbag wrote: »

In fairness theres a difference between free speech and being an evil, malicious, vindictive arsehole. For instance, this twat needs to be thrown in a hole away from a computer.

Heh. trolling twitter, nice.

whats St Patty's?

AnonoBoy

Wile E. Coyote wrote: »

If you published a blatent lie for all to see about an individual person then of course they're within they're rights to go to the law and have it removed but chances of you actually being prosecuted would be slim to none.

What this lad posted was his opinion and would have been only viewed by his contacts. Obviously one of them took offense but he shouldn't have been arrested for it.

Ah yeah but I'm just debating with auld Cartman there about his belief in absolute free speech. I don't give a rat's about this case in particular.

AnonoBoy

Gbear wrote: »

Stating your opinion of somebody doesn't affect their right to a good name.
It's up to others to decide whether they value your opinion or not.

So you think that there shouldn't be libel laws then?

Seachmall

AnonoBoy wrote: »

Do you actually think that's what freedom of speech protects? There's not a country in the world where it means that you can say absolutely anything you want.

I think people who think free speech should be restricted should be shot.

Eric Cartman

AnonoBoy wrote: »

Eric Cartman wrote: »

Go on then , Im a believer in free speech, and I have to defend it , even if it comes with negatives for me .

I don't believe you for one minute to be honest but I'll play along.

So you only believe in this on the internet, is that right?

What about in real life? If I announce loudly in the pub that that guy over there Eric Cartman, rapes dogs, fiddles with grannies and has a nasty VD - then you'd just think, "Well freedom of speech lets him say this."

Do you actually think that's what freedom of speech protects? There's not a country in the world where it means that you can say absolutely anything you want.

In the pub is different , everyone is aware by now that information on the internet is shakey at best , so people can make up their own minds on that . Also your not forcing info on people on the internet.

And to be fair mate , ive been called worse on boards , on other sites , shouted out and even printed on posters with my photo . I couldnt give a fcuk

PrincessLola

AnonoBoy wrote: »

If I set up my own website and decided the rules were "AnonoBoy can say what he wants about Eric Cartman" then you'd be ok with that and think it was fair?

I imagine you'd be running for the law pretty rapid now son, but pretend that you wouldn't all you like. :rolleyes:

People misunderstanding the concept of freedom of speech.

You have the freedom to give opinions on things, but with freedom comes responsibility for what you say.
If, for example, you say Eric Cartman is a rapist and can't back that up or defend it then you get punished.

Only a moron would think free speech means saying whatever you want without any repercussions. Freedom of speech entails the lesser known responsibility of speech.

saa

Wile E. Coyote wrote: »

It was half truth, half opinion. Why shouldn't he post it?

He can and he did but other than the fact he's going to court for it there is the issue of ethics in publishing content and I'm pretty sure it must of been something dopey, doesn't mean I can't or shouldn't say things based on the legality of it but when what you say becomes published text it does change things. Aye depends on what he said now, I could publish an article on whatever I wanted but if it was inciting hatred I wouldn't get away with that either.

AnonoBoy

Seachmall wrote: »

I think people who think free speech should be restricted should be shot.

Interesting. So as above with Eric Cartman - I can set up a stand in the pub and announce you're all manner of nasty things, set up a website that says the same and you'd stand there and say, "that's ok by me - free speech is free speech."

You wouldn't think "Maybe it's time to sue this guy for libel." at any point?

Dudess

Absolute free speech does not exist - it never has.

"What about freedom of speech?" and "PC gone mad" translate as "I want to be able to bully all I like and I'm pissed off that I'm being stopped."

I'd personally be more concerned about the target than the offender. Although I don't think someone should go to jail for writing/saying abusive stuff in fairness.

"What about my freedom of speech?" is also a line beloved of petulant teenagers.

Micky Dolenz

PrincessLola wrote: »

Eric Cartman is a rapist

Really?.

Best get the word out.

micropig

Seachmall wrote: »

I think people who think free speech should be restricted should be shot.

Interesting;):D

AnonoBoy

PrincessLola wrote: »

People misunderstanding the concept of freedom of speech.

You have the freedom to give opinions on things, but with freedom comes responsibility for what you say.
If, for example, you say Eric Cartman is a rapist and can't back that up or defend it then you get punished.

That's the point I'm trying to make. But there's people here saying that people can say anything they want and there should never be consequences.

paddyandy

All freedom in this world is conditional and there is no such thing as total freedom .

AnonoBoy

Eric Cartman wrote: »

In the pub is different.

So a newspaper prints a story about you saying you're a murderer or rapist.

You're ok with it online but not in print or someone reading it aloud in the pub?

That makes no sense.

BigBrownBear

Check out the protestors placards in the link. Scary.....
'Jail all those who insult British service men'
A mirror image of Islamic fundamentalism

Seachmall

AnonoBoy wrote: »

Interesting. So as above with Eric Cartman - I can set up a stand in the pub and announce you're all manner of nasty things, set up a website that says the same and you'd stand there and say, "that's ok by me - free speech is free speech."

You wouldn't think "Maybe it's time to sue this guy for libel." at any point?

If you set up a website called "independant.ie" with the intent of deceiving someone into believing that it is a reputable source of information and use that deception to tarnish my good name then you should be guilty of libel.

If you go on Facebook, or into a pub, and call me a "dog-lover" then you should not be.


If stupid people believe your lies it doesn't bother me, I can always convince them you're a "cat-lover".

RichieC

Eric Cartman wrote: »

Hes right

First half was anyway.

Dudess

Seachmall wrote: »

AnonoBoy wrote: »

Interesting. So as above with Eric Cartman - I can set up a stand in the pub and announce you're all manner of nasty things, set up a website that says the same and you'd stand there and say, "that's ok by me - free speech is free speech."

You wouldn't think "Maybe it's time to sue this guy for libel." at any point?

If you set up a website called "independant.ie" with the intent of deceiving someone into believing that it is a reputable source of information and use that deception to tarnish my good name then you should be guilty of libel.

If you go on Facebook, or into a pub, and call me a "dog-lover" then you should not be.


If stupid people believe your lies it doesn't bother me, I can always convince them you're a "cat-lover".

And there you have it - libel. Proof that absolute free speech does not exist.