May planning TV censorship laws

Amp34 · 21 May 2015 at 23:33

A plan by the home secretary to introduce counter-extremism powers to vet British broadcasters’ programmes before they are transmitted has been attacked in the bluntest terms as a threat to freedom of speech by one of her own Conservative cabinet colleagues, the Guardian has learned.

Sajid Javid wrote to David Cameron to say that, as culture secretary, he was unable to support Theresa May’s proposal to give Ofcom the new powers to take pre-emptive action against programmes that included “extremist content,” in a letter sent just before the start of the general election campaign.

Javid, who moved from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to become business secretary after the election, said the plan would move Ofcom from a regulator “into the role of a censor”. It would involve “a fundamental shift in the way UK broadcasting is regulated”, moving away from the current framework of post-transmission regulation which takes account of freedom of expression, he said.

It's saying something when fellow cabinet members refuse to agree with a proposal. It's also a pretty fundamental change in the way government regulates the media but is in line with the other Conservative proposals regarding limiting freedom of speech and mass surveillance. The sooner May is removed from government the better, she really is an insidious piece of work.

The leaked memo from the then culture secretary came in response to a request on made by May on 6 March to ministers on the cabinet’s home affairs committee and the national security committee. She was seeking clearance for publication of her extremism strategy, which included the broadcasters’ censorship proposal.

I think the guardian have made a mistake in their text, it should probably read...

"She was seeking clearance for publication of her extremist strategy"

Mynight · 21 May 2015 at 23:36

Argh I put it in the voting thread.

This worries me greatly. Never thought I'd agree with sajid

.

May scares me I honestly think she has a copy of 1984 as a bible on her bedside table.

estebanrey · 21 May 2015 at 23:36

I know it's a cliche but May needs to take heed of old Benji Franklin....

Benjamin Franklin said:
Those who give up their liberty for more security neither deserve liberty nor security

Danthus · 21 May 2015 at 23:37

You don't censor people with views you may dislike.

You let them speak and take them down with reasoned argument.

Caged · 21 May 2015 at 23:41

Theresa May is doing everything needed to convince me that she's an utterly horrible individual.

Danthus · 21 May 2015 at 23:43

By trying to silence people you in someway legitimise what they are saying.

estebanrey · 21 May 2015 at 23:55

May basically wants to go back to the days when Gerry Adams had to be dubbed over by another Irishman as they'd banned his voice on TV.

Danthus · 22 May 2015 at 00:07

Moses said:
Lols - that actually happened?!

Yep, the guy that did his voice was rumoured to have made a small fortune.

Tunney · 22 May 2015 at 00:09

Moses said:
Lols - that actually happened?!

Yup...

Dr Jack · 22 May 2015 at 00:13

Caged said:
Theresa May is doing everything needed to convince me that she's an utterly horrible individual.

What? You hadn't realised that already? I can only think you haven't been paying attention!

I'm not sure I believe this is real. Maybe I just don't want to believe it's real.

V F · 22 May 2015 at 00:55

Mr Jack said:
What? You hadn't realised that already? I can only think you haven't been paying attention!

I'm not sure I believe this is real. Maybe I just don't want to believe it's real.

Vinno · 22 May 2015 at 01:37

estebanrey said:
May basically wants to go back to the days when Gerry Adams had to be dubbed over by another Irishman as they'd banned his voice on TV.

Haha wow I never knew that. That's incredible. Hopefully they ban Adrian Chiles this time.

lsg1r · 22 May 2015 at 01:40

Maybe it's me but I've always found it weird that we give so much airtime to the 'anti Britain' brigade and other such extremist groups.... yet 'real news' gets missed. Same opinion regarding news about 'Prince Harry goes to battlezone' or military action planned at xyz... why publicise it so they know it's happening beforehand....

I'm not one for censorship in general but why give airtime to something that is clearly causing tensions in this country or could cause more casualties for our armed forces...

I'd like to think this 'censorship law' would be used to stop this type of news but having not heard much on the news about London's recent anti austerity protests I wouldn't hold my breath.

Mind you I never wanted conservatives in anyway...

Dewgy · 22 May 2015 at 01:42

Since when have we ever had a problem with dangerous extremist content on TV? Is this including fictional stories?

lsg1r · 22 May 2015 at 02:03

Dewgy said:
Since when have we ever had a problem with dangerous extremist content on TV? Is this including fictional stories?

well it's not so much about dangerous (I suppose it can be if the wrong person listens) but it's putting the info out there into a larger audience than if it's just not covered.

StriderX · 22 May 2015 at 02:05

So if the BBC goes to report on ISIS, it will be banned?

Amazing.

lsg1r · 22 May 2015 at 02:12

StriderX said:
So if the BBC goes to report on ISIS, it will be banned?

Amazing.

Potentially yes and like I said I don't have an issue with that at a fundamental level, it's just what else they could censor if they bring in a censorship law.

Jopabo · 22 May 2015 at 02:53

Most people in this forum supported the Tories, what did you expect you were going to get?

Dewgy · 22 May 2015 at 03:27

It seems worrying to have the news be censored. As much as i hate knowing that there are terrorists out there that may target us it seems like pretty important information that the public should know. It feels a bit like china where they filter news too.

antijoke · 22 May 2015 at 06:21

May as well just change her name to Theresa Jong-Un May.