An editorial

Re: An editorial

Bob Russell — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 17:25:55 GMT

The comments made by the twit about the diver was very promptly followed by comments putting him in his place. This would seem to be an element of self-policing!

I accept people were shocked and almost certainly very upset by the stupid comment but this does not make it a Police matter. The threat to Robin Hood Airport was clearly not a real one but simply the poor attempt at humour by a bit of a prat!

Evelyn Beatrice Hall made the comment "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it".

I will defend the right to say it but doubt I am brave enough to do it to the death! Good name Twit-ter

Re: An editorial

Simon Neuhoff — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 15:29:42 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]

[quote user="Niall Taylor"]

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"] I'm with Miss Purves but I don't know if JGW is.[/quote]

I've a feeling that Mr W is more concerned with the evils of 'social networking' than anything else...

Doubtless we'll just have to wait for enlightenment

Niall

[/quote]

If he is then i have completely misread his post - there were a lot of words, some of them quite long.

I am strongly against the courts deciding (especially at a very low magistrates level) what is acceptable and what is not to write.

It seems they are at it again as someone has apparently been arrested for making offensive comments about one of the divers who failed to achieve gold. The comments were very unpleasant and suggest the poster is a form of low life. He still has a right to make such comments, just as we have the right to ignore them.

There are a lot of objectionable people out there with views I find distasteful but sadly they should have a right to express those views (within reason) even on a social networking site. Others have a right to log out or switch off!

[/quote]

This. I grew up in South Africa where (at that time) freedom of speech did not exist and this allowed the then government to get away with murder - quite literally. "Freedom of speech is the cornerstone of democracy." Old, cliched but still true.

There does need to be some responsibility, accountability in the system too of course! The balance isn't always easy,

Re: An editorial

Rob Loxley — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 13:49:10 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]There are a lot of objectionable people out there with views I find distasteful but sadly they should have a right to express those views (within reason) even on a social networking site. Others have a right to log out or switch off![/quote]

Equally, the Malicious Communications Act (which covers this area) is nothing new. I believe there's a difference between expressing a view and 'malicious communication' and the problem with twitter is crossing the line into the latter, since you are directly communicating to another party.

Re: An editorial

Bob Russell — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 09:13:12 GMT

[quote user="Niall Taylor"]

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"] I'm with Miss Purves but I don't know if JGW is.[/quote]

I've a feeling that Mr W is more concerned with the evils of 'social networking' than anything else...

Doubtless we'll just have to wait for enlightenment

Niall

[/quote]

If he is then i have completely misread his post - there were a lot of words, some of them quite long.

I am strongly against the courts deciding (especially at a very low magistrates level) what is acceptable and what is not to write.

Re: An editorial

Niall Taylor — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 21:07:02 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"] I'm with Miss Purves but I don't know if JGW is.[/quote]

I've a feeling that Mr W is more concerned with the evils of 'social networking' than anything else...

Doubtless we'll just have to wait for enlightenment

Niall

Re: An editorial

Niall Taylor — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 21:04:35 GMT

[quote user="J G Wray"] This from Libby Purves in today's Times... Aaaah the chatterati.[/quote]

TLDR

Niall

Re: An editorial

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 18:56:30 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]Mr red-star is out again. Once again I find myself in general agreement with Mr Wray.[/quote]

Are you sure?

[quote user="J G Wray"]Aaaah the chatterati.[/quote]

I'm with Miss Purves but I don't know if JGW is.

Re: An editorial

Bob Russell — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 17:56:05 GMT

Mr red-star is out again. Once again I find myself in general agreement with Mr Wray.

If this conviction had been upheld life could have become a lot more '1984' and I for one was more than delighted that commonsense prevailed. Stupid comment, poor taste and lousy humour but we all have the right to be stupid, have poor taste and a lousy sense of humour.

Where would VetSurgeon be without a full range of characters?