Freedom of some speech, so long as it is nice. Options

[Andy Capp]

Anyone think 56 days in the slammer (less for good behaviour) is a bit over the top for saying racist things?

http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/03/28/...a-step-too-far/

[Simon Kirby]

Anyone think 56 days in the slammer (less for good behaviour) is a bit over the top for saying racist things?

http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/03/28/...a-step-too-far/

I thought, relative to what others get off with, that it was very harsh.

[user23]

It's not speech though is it and he wasn't just "saying things".

He broadcasting a racist message (about someone who nearly died) worldwide across a network of 300,000,000 users.

[Andy Capp]

It's not speech though is it and he wasn't just "saying things", it's broadcasting a racist message worldwide across a network of 300,000,000 users.

I knew nothing of it until the paper and news reported it. I suspect the vast majority of Tweeters didn't either. Anyway, is this an appropriate way to deal with people who say nasty things about people? Is it necessary? What next? Who will be the next group to claim regional status and be protected from ugly language? Are we inventing victims?

[Andy Capp]

Sorry, my dumb honky **** screwed up.

[user23]

It is just speech, and did every one read it?

Speech is verbal, this was broadcast on Twitter to the whole world.

[Andy Capp]

Speech is verbal, this was broadcast on Twitter across the whole world.

I know, but it doesn't change my question. Speech or writing are the same in this context.

[Strafin]

I think the punishment should always be harsh. The harsher the better, but it should also be consistent. I welcome the sentence, and express dismay at those who think he should have got away with it.

[Andy Capp]

I think the punishment should always be harsh. The harsher the better, but it should also be consistent. I welcome the sentence, and express dismay at those who think he should have got away with it.

My concern isn't for him, more the implication.

“What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist”. Salman Rushdie

Did Salman Rushdie deserve the fatwa?

[user23]

I knew nothing of it until the paper and news reported it. I suspect the vast majority of Tweeters didn't either. Anyway, is this an appropriate way to deal with people who say nasty things about people? Is it necessary? What next? Who will be the next group to claim regional status and be protected from ugly language? Are we inventing victims?

Are you referring to black people as a "group to claim regional status"? Which region are you referring to, exactly?

His actions weren't freedom of expression, they were an abhorrent racist slur against a man in a coma.

The sentence is a good warning to those that would use social media to abuse others or commit crimes that the law extends to them.

[Andy Capp]

Are you referring to black people as a "group to claim regional status"? Which region are you referring to, exactly?

No and any.

His actions weren't freedom of expression, they were an abhorrent racist slur against a man in a coma.

What did he say?

The sentence is a good warning to those that would use social media to abuse others or commit crimes that the law extends to them.

Do you think it was necessary to send him down? Would 2 year suspended be enough?

[user23]

What did he say?

Go and find out for yourself, I'm not repeating it.

How can you pass judgement on what he said, without knowing what he said?

[spartacus]

It's nice to see that the old codgers wearing the wigs have a sense of proportion when it comes to dishing out punishments that fit the crime.

You only have to do a short google to find endless examples of where they must have missed their meds that morning when it came to sentencing...

Last year a 20 yr old was speeding, lost control at a roundabout near Marlow and mounted a pavement killing a 77yr old woman out walking her dog.... The sentence? One year jail, but suspended for 18 months.

Bucksfreepress - Driver escapes jail term after causing death of OAP

Plenty more like that..... 56 days for tweeting something just a handful of people were likely to read (before the press got hold) A step too far........

[Andy Capp]

Go and find out for yourself, I'm not repeating it.

I tried looking but it is not clear.

How can you pass judgement on what he said, without knowing what he said?

I'm not passing judgement on what he said. I'm passing judgement on the judgement.

[user23]

I'm not passing judgement on what he said. I'm passing judgement on the judgement.

How can you possibly do so without knowing what he said?

[Andy Capp]

How can you possibly do so without knowing what he said?

Well he said something obscene and racist, so can anything be so obscene and racist that is deserves a 56 day gaol sentence?

Would you PM me what he said?

[JeffG]

Anyone think 56 days in the slammer (less for good behaviour) is a bit over the top for saying racist things?

Short answer, no.

As others pointed out, he didn't say something, he published it.

[Andy Capp]

Short answer, no.

As others pointed out, he didn't say something, he published it.

I'd say Twitter published it, he 'only' typed it. Perhaps Twitter should be examined for their role in this?

Do you know what he said, I'm trying to find out?

[user23]

I'd say Twitter published it, he 'only' typed it. Perhaps Twitter should be examined for their role in this?

No, he published it and is responsible for the content.

Wouldn't asking Twitter to moderate every Tweet be much more of a barrier to free speech?

[Andy Capp]

No, he published it and was responsible for the content.

I disagree.

As an example: when lady Chatterley's Lover went to court, it was the publisher, not the author who went before the beak. When Madonna swore on live TV, it was the BBC who were censured.

Wouldn't asking Twitter to moderate every Tweet be much more of a barrier to free speech?

But we are talking about law breaking here - it seems, but then, I'm not advocating censorship as such, just asking the question. All it would need are obscenities removed. Most forums do it.

Does anyone on this board know what was said that lead to the sentence? If they do, would they PM me?