UK Locks Up Citizens for Social Media Posts

[sahgwa]

It is an interesting subject and I must admit I feel torn. On one hand I totally agree with you, free speech should be free, and people should be able to react as they wish too. But then there are those rare examples where words have led to horrific outcomes. For example (and I know this is an extreme and not the norm), take the Manson family. It was the members who actively carried out the acts of violence and of course should be held to account. But would they have done what they did without Manson sharing his ideas and views with some young, impressionable and damaged kids? Should he have been covered by his right to free speech or was it right that he was held accountable. He didn’t get his hands dirty and always said their actions were not his responsibility. As I said, I know this is an extreme example, but where is the line if there should be one at all?

Personally I cherish free speech. I will fight for anyone’s right to say what they want regardless on whether I agree with the words. It is through talking and sharing views that we can all grow, and I believe it is good to be challenged with different opinions. But I think there does still need to be a line in the sand in certain situations. But I have some food for thought to go and digest :)

That is a great example and I thank you for bringing it up- the Manson 'family.'

I think I have to try and draw my own personal line in the sand as a 'libertine' and 'pagan' but also a rational and compassionate human being, and say that anything can come out of anyone's mouth whenever, but they must be prepared to pay any consequences of the society they are in.
Oftentimes it is better to speak than to keep silent, especially since it acts as a kind of societal pressure valve.
In the example of the Manson 'family' , it is Highly Unfortunate, that the fact that Manson's words incited them to violence, is, at the end of the day, not to say that their violence was Manson's responsibility.
We all have responsibility for our personal actions, and we all make decisions based on words of one form or another. 
Holding other people responsible for one's own violence based on the other's words is obviously not rational, especially since it would lead to people saying that newspapers are responsible for murder or the like.

[Purplefowler]

That is a great example and I thank you for bringing it up- the Manson 'family.'

I think I have to try and draw my own personal line in the sand as a 'libertine' and 'pagan' but also a rational and compassionate human being, and say that anything can come out of anyone's mouth whenever, but they must be prepared to pay any consequences of the society they are in.
Oftentimes it is better to speak than to keep silent, especially since it acts as a kind of societal pressure valve.
In the example of the Manson 'family' , it is Highly Unfortunate, that the fact that Manson's words incited them to violence, is, at the end of the day, not to say that their violence was Manson's responsibility.
We all have responsibility for our personal actions, and we all make decisions based on words of one form or another. 
Holding other people responsible for one's own violence based on the other's words is obviously not rational, especially since it would lead to people saying that newspapers are responsible for murder or the like.

I absolutely agree with everything you’ve said here, I just wish I could work out if there is some sort of like/rep system over here as it seems rather rude not being able to acknowledge posts other than straight up replying!

But don’t get me started on the newspapers and the media, the biggest agitators of them all!

[sahgwa]

I absolutely agree with everything you’ve said here, I just wish I could work out if there is some sort of like/rep system over here as it seems rather rude not being able to acknowledge posts other than straight up replying!

But don’t get me started on the newspapers and the media, the biggest agitators of them all!

My mum is retired and like you know, the old folks get the news brainwashing the worst. I am having to email her that no my wife is not going to get randomly deported just for being a foreign national.  She should know better.
Anyway, about the UK , how bout them Muslims.  wink wink. hot topic. 
OK off .
Yes I miss the 'reputation' button. Now I can't 'like' posts either. 
Cheers mate.

[Maxmars]

Anyone who spends most of their time consuming media is at risk of the metaphorical brainwashing...

The media in your country is first a tool of the establishment, serving "the people" as an "appearance," and is primarily concerned with the narratives they propagate.
I mean to say that if they are told to make a report "seem" a certain way, they will.  That's not reporting, it was never journalism in principle.
As the press in Europe matured, so did the US press... in the same gestalt.

Many people "move on" from one thing to another... the press fixates where it is told to fixate, they sensationalize and dramatize, on demand.

They pontificate, and wax banal, platitudinous, and display personal emotions as part of the 'production' of their "news"...

[I miss the reputation button (or stars) too... or at least the ability to tag someone's comments I find meaningful, or wish to cheer...]

[UltraBudgie]

It's almost like they're trying to encourage militant xenophobia, by providing all these worldviews that legitimize it!

Someone should write a sternly-worded Letter to the Editor.

the ability to tag someone's comments I find meaningful, or wish to cheer...

:banana:

There are five different dancing banana emojis, as well as a dancing carrot. What do you need, a style guide?


Edit: Surely one of those should a peel to you.

[Maxmars]

It's almost like they're trying to encourage militant xenophobia, by providing all these worldviews that legitimize it!

Someone should write a sternly-worded Letter to the Editor.



[Image: https://denyignorance.com/images/ogemoji...banana.gif] [Image: https://denyignorance.com//images/newemojis/fingers.gif] [Image: https://denyignorance.com//images/newemo...edance.gif] [Image: https://denyignorance.com//images/xemojis/rock.gif] [Image: https://denyignorance.com//images/xemoji..._funky.gif] [Image: https://denyignorance.com//images/xemojis/carrot.gif]

There are five different dancing banana emojis, as well as a dancing carrot. What do you need, a style guide?

Trump neurosis is in my estimation a response to the over-the-top 'push' that political activism provides...
It's antithesis is exactly the same....

The pendulum swings.

['cheer' was a bad word to choose up there... more like casually 'suggest' to others to review, if they are interested. "Stars" were good for that, "Reputation" was an attempt at a compromise.]

[UltraBudgie]

['cheer' was a bad word to choose up there... more like casually 'suggest' to others to review, if they are interested. "Stars" were good for that, "Reputation" was an attempt at a compromise.]

And please I beg your pardon as I am somewhat fiesty today, on this National Day of Celebration that is now near indistinguishable from every other day in this wonderful land of ours...

[sahgwa]

And please I beg your pardon as I am somewhat fiesty today, on this National Day of Celebration that is now near indistinguishable from every other day in this wonderful land of ours...

You mean April Fools?

[sahgwa]

I hate pasting other content but the newsletter from Social Media site Gab is hitting home about UK censorship, and now the UK communications office is trying to stifle American free speech by targeting American CEOs in the USA:

 
Just days after we exposed the UK government's escalating attacks – including their admission of targeting our infrastructure providers in an act of economic terrorism – new developments confirm that our warnings about the dangers of the UK's Online Safety Act are being recognized at the highest levels, while simultaneously revealing the truly draconian nature of their threats.
First, the Vindication: A recent report in The Guardian has revealed that officials from the U.S. State Department directly challenged the UK's communications regulator, Ofcom, regarding the severe threat the Online Safety Act poses to freedom of expression.
According to the report:
-Officials from the State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) met with Ofcom in London.
-During this meeting, they explicitly raised concerns about how the Online Safety Act risks infringing free speech.
-A State Department spokesperson confirmed this, stating: "As vice-president Vance has said, we are concerned about freedom of expression in the United Kingdom. It is important that the UK respect and protect freedom of expression.”
This is significant validation of everything Gab has been fighting against. Even elements within the US government recognize the UK Online Safety Act for the threat it is.
Now, the Stark Escalation: While Ofcom downplays the Act, claiming it only targets "illegal content," the reality is far more sinister and extends into unprecedented personal threats. The scope of this law isn't limited; it potentially applies to any user-to-user service accessible in the UK.
And here's the truly chilling part: Buried within this tyrannical legislation is the power for UK authorities to bring criminal charges against named senior managers at companies deemed non-compliant.
Let that sink in. They genuinely believe they have the authority, under this Act, to target individuals – like myself – and potentially send American citizens to PRISON for the supposed crime of refusing to implement the UK's subjective censorship regime on a US-based platform protected by the First Amendment.
This isn't just delusional; it's a stunning display of authoritarian overreach. It's as if they've forgotten we operate in the United States, under US law. This threat to literally imprison executives of foreign companies demonstrates the absolute extremity of their censorship agenda and their disregard for international norms, national sovereignty, and fundamental rights.
What This Means:
Our Fight is Justified & Now Validated: The US State Dept. acknowledges the free speech risks.
Ofcom's Narrative is Disproven: Their actions and the law's text reveal a broader censorship goal, now including threats of imprisonment.
The Stakes are Personal and Existential: This is no longer just about fines or deplatforming; it's about the potential for criminal prosecution of individuals for upholding free speech principles.
Urgent US Action is Imperative: "Expressing concern" is insufficient when faced with threats of economic terrorism and potential imprisonment of US citizens by a foreign government over constitutionally protected speech.
We are leveraging this validation from the State Department, combined with the exposure of these outrageous personal threats, in our ongoing communications with the U.S. Trade Representative, the Department of Justice, The White House, and other relevant bodies. We demand decisive action from the US government, including President Trump's proposed tariffs, to protect American companies, American citizens, and the foundational principle of free expression from this foreign aggression.
This fight has reached a critical intensity. The UK government is not just attacking a platform; they are threatening individuals with imprisonment for defending your right to speak freely. We must have the resources to fight back on all fronts – legal, technical, and political – against this multi-faceted assault.

 


I am glad our State Department is going after this egregious human rights issue , if not only for our citizens but also for the principles of free speech in general.

[putnam6]

I hate pasting other content but the newsletter from Social Media site Gab is hitting home about UK censorship, and now the UK communications office is trying to stifle American free speech by targeting American CEOs in the USA:
 


I am glad our State Department is going after this egregious human rights issue , if not only for our citizens but also for the principles of free speech in general.

100% 

The same type of government tried to stifle COVID response concerns, legitimate concerns.