GB: No Freedom of Speech Anymore

[George1959]

The Daily Mail writes in it's headline "Britain's police state unmasked".
Map shows alarming arrest numbers for 'offensive' social media posts

 

[horseless carriage]

A Police State? Surely not here in live and let live Britain!
'I Was Arrested By Police For My WhatsApp Messages.' Maxie Allen recounts how he was arrested by six police officers for messages on WhatsApp about his daughter's special needs school.
Read some of the comments, this one hit the nail right on the head. "Not only did the Inspector, who authorised this travesty, not understand the relevant law, but the Chief Constable defended this. The Chief Constable was involved once it had blown up. He didn't even bother to look up the law before making a fool of himself to the media."

 

[TabbyAnn]

The Daily Mail writes in it's headline "Britain's police state unmasked".
Map shows alarming arrest numbers for 'offensive' social media posts

Several news outlets have reported on the growing lack of freedom of speech in England regarding Islam, and the creeping spread of Sharia Law and the noise pollution caused by loud calls to prayer 5 times a day wailing from the loud speakers of mosques. This should be a cautionary tale for the United States.

 

[Muskrat]

i started to write something…then thought the better of it. Since I looked up the definition of antifa on the government website and discovered my beliefs made me a terrorist I have to be more careful…

 

[JudyB]

It's extremely worrisome to me the type of people that are being elected into our government and I'm not sure what we can do about it other than vote and that doesn't seem to be working!! I just shake my head in disbelief every time We have a new election of any kind.

 

[hollydolly]

The Daily Mail writes in it's headline "Britain's police state unmasked".
Map shows alarming arrest numbers for 'offensive' social media posts

Not new, we lost freedom of speech soon after Covid... we're far more likely to get jailed for 'hurty words'' ether spoken or written.. than we are if we drink drive.. assault someone... steal your car, burgle your house, attack your dog.. ... attack you even...

 

[hollydolly]

i started to write something…then thought the better of it. Since I looked up the definition of antifa on the government website and discovered my beliefs made me a terrorist I have to be more careful…

as long as you're not in the UK.. you'll be fine...for now...

 

[RandomName]

The alarming thing, to me, about Britain is that simply criticizing Islam, as in saying you don't like some aspects of Sharia law, and you would rather not have Islam take over your country, can get you arrested, apparently. Definitely not free speech. But I would suspect criticizing Christianity is OK.

 

[hollydolly]

The alarming thing, to me, about Britain is that simply criticizing Islam, as in saying you don't like some aspects of Sharia law, and you would rather not have Islam take over your country, can get you arrested, apparently. Definitely not free speech. But I would suspect criticizing Christianity is OK.

You're correct !

 

[againstthegrain]

In before the lock!

 

[hollydolly]

In before the lock!

we're not discussing partisan politics on this thread.. that's what gets them locked ..we're discussing freedom of speech

 

[againstthegrain]

Carry on!

 

[hollydolly]

Carry on!

hahaha...thanks for your permission....

 

[January]

Going against the grain here - I am in favour of hate speech laws and limits on what can be posted on social media

We all want cyber bullying stopped- that means curtailing freedom of speech.

 

[Rakaia]

Going against the grain here - I am in favour of hate speech laws and limits on what can be posted on social media

We all want cyber bullying stopped- that means curtailing freedom of speech.

I think Idi Amin nailed it.

There is freedom of speech, but I cannot guarantee freedom after speech.

Say what you will but don't complain about the consequences.

 

[Lavinia]

Going against the grain here - I am in favour of hate speech laws and limits on what can be posted on social media

We all want cyber bullying stopped- that means curtailing freedom of speech.

There is a huge difference between expressing an opinion and being deliberately offensive.

 

[Lavinia]

Centuries ago, there was conflict between Catholics and Protestants. Everyone had to be careful to be seen to support the prevailing religion. The penalty was torture and death. What is happening now is a regression to those times.

 

[January]

There is a huge difference between expressing an opinion and being deliberately offensive.

of course - but if we want full freedom of speech that includes things deliberately offensive, bullying, hateful etc - I do not want that so I do not support unlimited freedom of speech and I am in favour of hate speech laws.

 

[timoc]

I don't recognise my country anymore.
Gone are those happy days when we all gave each other 'nicknames' and took the mickey out of each other, nothing malicious just fun.
I used to love going to work, but I'd hate to be in the workplace now and have the feeling of being 'gagged'.

 

[hollydolly]

I don't recognise my country anymore.
Gone are those happy days when we all gave each other 'nicknames' and took the mickey out of each other, nothing malicious just fun.
I used to love going to work, but I'd hate to be in the workplace now and have the feeling of being 'gagged'.

..or worse... you enemies within the workplace reporting you for saying things you may not have said.... or were said in jest...

It's an absolute minefield out there.. and particularly in the TV studios... I'm glad to be out of that now

 

[Irishdude]

of course - but if we want full freedom of speech that includes things deliberately offensive, bullying, hateful etc - I do not want that so I do not support unlimited freedom of speech and I am in favour of hate speech laws.

There is a huge difference between hate speech and a comment to the effect that you don't think Sharia law should be imposed on the UK.

For example, I find the "call to prayer" noxious and don't think it should be broadcast five times per day. A Muslim might feel the same way about church bells. We should both be allowed to express our opinions.

 

[Trade]

Freedom of speech! Just watch what you say.

 

[Muskrat]

Freedom of speech used to allow individuals a right to express their opinions. It is a very slippery slope to limit those rights. People in the past had the right to protest wars, administrations, abortion ect. There is a difference between peaceful protest and a call to harm your perceived enemies…but my folks went to war to defend the right to have…and safely verbalize opinions. Anyone who sees their country start to pull back on those rights better sit up and take notice.

 

[Rakaia]

Quote Origin: I Disapprove of What You Say, But I Will Defend to the Death Your Right to Say It​

Quote Origin: I Disapprove of What You Say, But I Will Defend to the Death Your Right to Say It – Quote Investigator®

Unfortunately I do not have the right to punch you in the face if you exercise your freedom of speech in a derogatory manner towards me. This doesn't mean I won't do it anyway....

 

[Lilac]

If you do not have freedom of speech, you do not have the freedom to live. If that right is taken away, what will be next? I refuse to give up my God given rights (whether you believe or not) so someone else doesn't have "hurt" feelings.

IMO, restrictions on the freedom of speech is nothing short of bullying itself. People, kids especially, should be taught how to handle & stand up against the bullies ... not encouraged to cower down to them. Before someone accuses me of promoting violence, I AM NOT.

Many have fought & some have died for that right we have ... that shouldn't have been in vain.