Topic: Bloggers say new EU law will end free speech on the internet.

[Parky]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/04/20/nblog20.xml

British bloggers said yesterday that free speech on the internet is under threat from draconian new laws, which could see them jailed for up to three years.
Europe's justice ministers have agreed genocide denial and race hatred legislation that will outlaw remarks on the internet "carried out in a manner likely to incite violence or hatred".
The measures are contained in the European Union's Racism and Xenophobia Directive and could hit controversial European bloggers, even if their websites are hosted in America.
Chris Mounsey, the 29 year old behind The Devil's Kitchen blog, said: "There is potential for this to have worldwide application. Free speech is at the centre of blogging. Part of the reason bloggers can tell the truth is because it is difficult to pin them down. This law tries to do it.""


Obviously the subject matter of some blogs are distasteful to us and some people hold views which we find abhorrent. But how far should the state go to stop people experssing their ideas and opinions?

[ross magoo]

If you don't like a website's content then don't visit it.  Pretty straightforward really.

[alex]

I'm all for bigots having free speech. Makes them easier to spot. Forced 'underground' they're more dangerous anyway.

[Parky]

I'm all for bigots having free speech. Makes them easier to spot. Forced 'underground' they're more dangerous anyway.

Totally. And also it starts like this and then they start to widen the criteria...

[madras]

If you don't like a website's content then don't visit it.  Pretty straightforward really.

so you don't think paedophile sites should be shut down........................still simple ?

[ChezGiven]

Doesnt the German government pay money towards the fascist party / skinheed nuttas for the very reason that they are therefore easier to monitor??

Berlin is cloudy but warm btw.

[Parky]

Doesnt the German government pay money towards the fascist party / skinheed nuttas for the very reason that they are therefore easier to monitor??

Berlin is cloudy but warm btw.

You in Berlin Chix?

[ChezGiven]

If you don't like a website's content then don't visit it.  Pretty straightforward really.

so you don't think paedophile sites should be shut down........................still simple ?

paedophilia isnt an opinion.

[Parky]

If you don't like a website's content then don't visit it.  Pretty straightforward really.

so you don't think paedophile sites should be shut down........................still simple ?

They tend to get arrested Madras my dear..

[ChezGiven]

Doesnt the German government pay money towards the fascist party / skinheed nuttas for the very reason that they are therefore easier to monitor??

Berlin is cloudy but warm btw.

You in Berlin Chix?

Yep, here till sunday if you are about?

[madras]

If you don't like a website's content then don't visit it.  Pretty straightforward really.

so you don't think paedophile sites should be shut down........................still simple ?

paedophilia isnt an opinion.

i know but the post was "if you don't like a websites CONTENT........"

[alex]

If you don't like a website's content then don't visit it.  Pretty straightforward really.

so you don't think paedophile sites should be shut down........................still simple ?

paedophilia isnt an opinion.

i know but the post was "if you don't like a websites CONTENT........"

Doubt he meant that paedo websites were ok tbh.

[ross magoo]

If you don't like a website's content then don't visit it.  Pretty straightforward really.

so you don't think paedophile sites should be shut down........................still simple ?

I meant in the context of the thread, ie freedom of speech.  Sticks and stones and all that.

Obviously a site that shows people abusing kids should be shut down.  That's a different argument from freedom of speech imo.

[Parky]

Doesnt the German government pay money towards the fascist party / skinheed nuttas for the very reason that they are therefore easier to monitor??

Berlin is cloudy but warm btw.

You in Berlin Chix?

Yep, here till sunday if you are about?



[/quote


I have one meeting on Sat left over from the Jet show here. PM me dien handy numer...

[ChezGiven]

If you don't like a website's content then don't visit it.  Pretty straightforward really.

so you don't think paedophile sites should be shut down........................still simple ?

paedophilia isnt an opinion.

i know but the post was "if you don't like a websites CONTENT........"

Doubt he meant that paedo websites were ok tbh.

I know, madras is weird but hes not like that 

Just highlighting the important distinction was all.

[Dave]

f***ing dating on the forum, whatever next.

We should charge lovers for this s***.

[Parky]

If you don't like a website's content then don't visit it.  Pretty straightforward really.

so you don't think paedophile sites should be shut down........................still simple ?

paedophilia isnt an opinion.

Agreed. This is a red herring.

[ChezGiven]

f***ing dating on the forum, whatever next.

We should charge lovers for this s***.

5th May tbh.

[Dave]

[madras]

so it's ok to have a message board like this for paedos to discuss what they'd like to do,which kids in the public eye etc....all opinion ?

freedom of speech...........you couldn't handle freedom of speech

[ChezGiven]

so it's ok to have a message board like this for paedos to discuss what they'd like to do,which kids in the public eye etc....all opinion ?

freedom of speech...........you couldn't handle freedom of speech

Opinion versus action. If internet sites are used to engender hatred that leads to violence then aye, shut em down.

[Parky]

so it's ok to have a message board like this for paedos to discuss what they'd like to do,which kids in the public eye etc....all opinion ?

freedom of speech...........you couldn't handle freedom of speech

I don't think peado's are the issue here do you...Not like they have open sites where they discuss thier warped ways and open chat rooms and stuff. As far as I was aware it was all hidden. As Chez says there is a diff between freedom and speech and insighting violence or suffering on others.

[ross magoo]

so it's ok to have a message board like this for paedos to discuss what they'd like to do,which kids in the public eye etc

If it makes it easier for the authorities to catch the b@stards then yes.

[BlufPurdi]

Think it'll be stopping at the Internet?  Doubt it...

Coming soon: "New EU law will end free speech."

[ross magoo]

so it's ok to have a message board like this for paedos to discuss what they'd like to do,which kids in the public eye etc....all opinion ?

freedom of speech...........you couldn't handle freedom of speech

I don't think peado's are the issue here do you

Agreed.  That's not the reason for the legislation being discussed so it's really a different argument altogether.