Saturday 14 April 2012

Harassment Laws & Free Speech II

I do not want to rehash a scene which has already been forensically examined over at Spiderplant Land.

BUT SOME OF THE LAWS IN THIS COUNTRY ARE FRICKIN' CRAZY!

@Sir_Olly_C, a blogger, who holds his local council to firm account was arrested, charged under the Communications Act 2003 and the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 and, before even being found guilty, was slapped with a restraining order.

Welcome to free speech in 21st century Britain.

I have previously made my thoughts very clear about how the harassment laws in this country are designed to stifle free speech. It seems now that these laws are being used to their fullest effect. I suspect that Parliament did not intend for these laws to be used in the way that they are. Genuine criticism must never be stifled or interfered with.

If the Communications Act 2003 is going to be used to stifle freedom of speech based upon the level of offence that a person feels then perhaps more politicians should be locked up? I am frequently offended by the lies and the way that they treat their constituents with utter disregard.

I am not seriously promoting a policy of widespread committals here, but if a persons level of offence is all that is needed to bring a crap case to court then we are heading for a very depressing period in British history. 

The situation is quite clear and the battle lines are being drawn; if you criticise a person or an organisation, however legitimately, you are going to be on the end of these anarchic laws. Mark my words, more people will become aware of the legislation which enables them to close down dissent and with harsh repercussions for the "offender".

Support @Sir_Olly_C any way you can. Retweet using the #FreeTheBexleyOne hashtag and lets hope more people get behind him.

2 comments:

  1. Very depressing indeed.
    One way or another, free speech and free thought are going to be driven out of all of us.
    You couple the above point with the new laws proposed regarding their ability to snoop through our texts, emails etc...so even supposedly "private" comments and opinions could instead find their authors at the mercy of these ridiculous laws.

    Your points are all very, very valid indeed.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh dear. I do not know the ins and outs of this case but it seems individuals and organisations are increasingly choosing this simple and effective way of stifling free speech. It is in effect a loophole which is being exploited to the full. I wonder if it has ever occurred to The Libel Reform Campaign that their fine work in protecting free speech will become irrelevant if this carries on.

    ReplyDelete