Tag Archives: free speech

BBC Asks “What Is The Right Punishment For Blasphemy?”

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Earlier this week it was reported that Facebook were sending a team to Pakistan to discuss the concerns of Pakistani officials regarding ‘blasphemous’ content on the social media platform. Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has previously described ‘blasphemy’ as an “unpardonable offence”.

The fact that Facebook is even entertaining this sort of thing deserves no small amount of opprobrium, but it should come as a surprise to no-one that Pakistan would be heavily engaged in this area.

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Suspended From Twitter (Again)

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Those who follow me on Twitter (@Gspellchecker) may have noticed my account is currently suspended. I am yet to receive a reason from the powers that be, but I have filed an appeal for it to be lifted whilst I wait. Going from past experience, the turnaround for an official response could be anything between 24 hours to 30 days.

This isn’t the first time I have been suspended. The last time was January 2015, news of which even made The Independent newspaper.

An open letter I blogged back then detailed my thoughts on what I think is going on with Twitter’s suspension process. Unfortunately, not much has changed except to say that I think Twitter’s approach to such matters has worsened rather than improved in the intervening years.

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Suspended From Twitter (Again)

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Those who follow me on Twitter (@Gspellchecker) may have noticed my account is currently suspended. I am yet to receive a reason from the powers that be, but I have filed an appeal for it to be lifted whilst I wait. Going from past experience, the turnaround for an official response could be anything between 24 hours to 30 days.

This isn’t the first time I have been suspended. The last time was January 2015, news of which even making The Independent newspaper.

An open letter I blogged back then detailed my thoughts on what I think is going on with Twitter’s suspension process. Unfortunately, not much as changed except to say that I think Twitter’s approach to such matters has worsened rather than improved in the intervening years.

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Ep#94 – Matt Dillahunty – Free Speech & Violence

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It’s a great pleasure to welcome the return of Matt Dillahunty (@Matt_Dillahunty) to The #GSPodcast. We talk about the ethics of punching Nazis, free speech, violent protests at UC Berkeley, Donald Trump, trigger warnings, safe spaces, racism, labels, Milo Yiannopoulos and much, much more!

Also available on iTunes and Stitcher.

Support the podcast at www.patreon.com/gspellchecker

Listeners get a free audiobook and trial with Audible at http://www.audibletrial.com/gs

#GSPodcast Theme by Dorian Silk & The MCH



Direct Mp3 Download

Roald Dahl Failed On free Speech And Threw Salman Rushdie To The Mob

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September 13th marks the birthday of the late and great children’s author Roald Dahl. In celebration of his prolific storytelling, the day has also been dubbed ‘Roald Dahl Day’.

Dahl’s exceptional storytelling was a huge part of my childhood. I adored his hilarious tales which were perfectly complemented by the illustrations of Quentin Blake. That’s what makes my loss of respect for him as an adult all that more regrettable. If you want to keep your rosy, Dahl infused childhood in tact, you may wish to go away now.

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Milo Yiannopoulos Has Been Permanently Banned From Twitter

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It seems after a succession of suspensions, conservative commentator Milo Yiannopoulos has been permanently banned from Twitter.

I’m probably a million miles away from Milo Yiannopoulos’s politics and rhetoric. He’s not actually someone whose output I follow or go out of my way to keep an eye on. His chosen role of provocateur has amused me on occasion but has also had me scratching my head on others. However, that’s irrelevant given free speech is also there for the opinions of people you don’t agree with. In fact, it can never truly be ‘free’ otherwise.

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