A Canadian discussion of free speech but with a particular resonance here since the network is the ABC (the Ant Broadcasting Corporation affectionately known as anty). This seems to be a problem across the world in countries that ought to know better but apparently can no longer tolerate free speech, a very dangerous form of intolerance. In Canada it is in some ways worse since the relevant decision was by the Canadian Supreme Court. Details here and here. If even in the great Dominion the Supreme Court can unanimously accept such blanket limits to free speech, there is next to nothing that will protect us from governments that want to place such limitations on our historical rights.
Here in Australia the issue is the role of a government in determining what can and cannot be said by media outlets. You would think the government would have at least a touch of embarrassment in introducing legislation that is so patently and unmistakably self-interested with no other benefit anywhere of any kind other than their desire not to lose the next election which a media allowed to discuss issues not entirely in the way they are discussed by the Ant Broadcasting Corporation is likely to contribute towards. The truth will not serve this government very well at all. The Government therefore wants to limit the ability of the media to report about what they do. How that can be in the national interest, or any other interest but their own, cannot be explained, nor do they try. They just want the media to shut up, unless it is the Ant Broadcasting Corporation, of course.
[Via Small Dead Animals]
Of course the government and the courts are self-interested and others must shut up. They are the elite and always know what is good for us. They will tell us when and what we can do something.
stackja
14 Mar 13 at 12:54 pm
And this is why America has the 2nd amendment
Alan Grey
14 Mar 13 at 1:28 pm
From entertainment to anty-tainment. What next?
Nuke Gray
14 Mar 13 at 1:34 pm
The skit’s characters are based on real life figures including Ezra Levant (Sun TV) a tireless free speech campaigner and richard warman, some type of barking mad, insanely narcissistic bureaucratic nonentity.
warman has gained infamy in canuckistan for impersonating neo nazis and then rushing off to various yuman rites tribunals to hoover up some off that lovely taxpayers’ moolah while claiming offence (yes, I kid you not). warman was also recently busted referring to chinese restaurants in an extremely racist and hate filled manner (he implied they sold meals with catmeat in them).
Idiots such as warman are of course, almost entirely beyond parody.
BTW, it was Mark Steyn and Levant who became the first defendants in canuckistan to have a case against them overturned in a yuman rites tribunal.
The conviction rate for the poor saps dragged before these insane, idiotic fascist star chambers was previously 100%.
Also – if you think the ALPBC sucks arse, it looks almost ‘fair and balanced’ compared to the f*cking CBC.
Rabz
14 Mar 13 at 1:45 pm
The main problem with that clip is that it isn’t (nearly) funny enough to be effective.
Oh come on
14 Mar 13 at 2:20 pm
one of the first groups prosecuted by Canadian customs under pro-feminist anti-pornography laws was against the lesbian sadomasochistic magazine Bad Attitude and the owners of a gay and lesbian bookstore for selling it.
70 per cent of Canadian Customs seizures are of gay and lesbian material.
The first Australian suit under anti-hate laws should be for the use of the term neoliberal.
To quote Pastor Martin Niemoller in 1955:
Jim Rose
14 Mar 13 at 6:18 pm
One problem Jim; it is the communists and trade unionists who are doing the comming [sic].
cohenite
14 Mar 13 at 6:31 pm
Now that you’ve had your little rant, Steve, perhaps you could explain how an independentally appointed public interest advocate will destroy freedom of speech.
The wailing and knashing of teeth has nothing to do with freedom, and everything to do with News Limited’s aspirations to increase its control over the more profitable pay TV segment of the industry.
“In the name of the almighty dollar – every knee shall bend”.
Not this knee…..
1735099
15 Mar 13 at 8:18 am
Numbers, you fascist imbecile, the core of Reichspropagandaleiter Conroy’s National Socialist legislation is to re-create, in local form, a variant of the old Reichsministerium für Volksaufklärung und Propaganda or Propagandaministerium
So the idea is to set up an agency of the state which makes subjective assessments on what is and is not ‘in the public interest’ – and that term is not defined, does not have to be explained and cannot be challenged. Much worse; Conroy will personally hand-pick his Public Interest Media Advocate and it “… will be up and running in time for the September 14 election with extraordinary powers to determine what is, or what is not, in the “public interest”.”
So Conroy’s hand picked PIMA will be investigator, prosecutor, judge, jury and executioner, there is no appeal in regard of his decisions, and you are guilty until proven innocent!
And you cannot prove yourself innocent because you cannot know the basis on which the decision you are guilty was made, as it’s subjective and they do not have to explain it!
And you support this, Numbers.
Tell me why you support this blatant fascism. As far as I can tell, it’s because you are a fascist, and think that it’s good because that’s your side.
This is Rule .303 material.
Mk50 of Brisbane
15 Mar 13 at 8:51 am
And you really believe this?
What have you been smoking?
1735099
15 Mar 13 at 12:45 pm