Once again I report on a very worrying and disturbing situation. A situation that has the potential to render the U.K. an oppressed, dis-informed communist state. Article 10 of the ECHR enshrined into the Human Rights Act 1998, states “Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers”.
That being said, Article 10 is known as a qualified right. This means that a public body can interfere with your freedom of expression, if it interferes with the rights of another person or in the interests of the wider community. But, how do you ascertain who’s right takes precedent? This is an argument to be resolved between you and the public body. Ultimately, this could end up as a dispute in the courts. Actions of this magnitude can usually take a very long time to achieve a result.
For many years the U.K. has accepted the conceptualisation, of the freedom of the press and the protection of journalists. I agree whole heartedly, especially being a independent journalist myself, this rationale allows me to report fact, without fear or favour. However, this reasoning is being irradiated, by what in my opinion can only described as dictatorial government intoxicated by power.
On the other hand, with the recent reporting of the ridiculous and unprecedented public insurrection and blatant disregard for the rule of law, immediate action was required to extinguish the disruption and lawlessness. The government introduced emergency measures and the execution of swift arrest, prosecution and sentencing of offenders and rightly so, there is no place in a modern society for this kind of behaviour, ever!
Throughout, the crisis, I called for calm and peace and further reiterate this, amid the current epidemic of knife crime. As an ex-serviceman, I can attest with some authority, violence achieves nothing disbarring resentment. For now, I believe we are experiencing a temporary reprieve from further eruptions, but this will not continue unless the government adopts an egalitarian proactive approach, pledging to resolve the persistent marginalisation of the white working class. As seen through my non-white mixed race eyes.
You have on many occasions, heard me mention the rule of law and how important it is. But what is the rule of law. The rule of law is the principle that the law applies equally to everyone, regardless of status or standing. Additionally, that no one is above the law, and, in particular, that the government must comply with the law and that power is not exercised arbitrarily. It requires that all persons have access to courts that are independent. Furthermore, the state is governed, not by the ruler or the nominated representatives of the people but by the law.
I am in total agreement with individuals being prosecuted for acts of violence, without question. What about the fate of those inciting violence, both in person and online through mediums such as social media. Surely, you would think this is freedom of expression, after all, is this not an opinion? Yes it is, but this is speech that creates an immediate risk of harm to another person, which is further extended to hate speech. Therefore this form of speech is criminalised and exempt from Article 10, which has my total support.
My support lies unequivocally with the rule of law. At no time, could or will I ever support individuals being criminalised; regardless of the circumstances, for expressing opinions of discrimination, marginalisation, electoral discontent, or any iniquitous application of the law by the government or its proxies. These forms of expression are regarded as political speech, as such they are protected by Article 10, with the exception of criminalised speech. Any unlawful application, requires challenge through the courts applying the rule of law.
For many years, I have had the opinion that mainstream media (MSM), produced content that in many cases is nothing more than harmful propaganda. There has been articles and newspaper stories during the recent crisis, that in my opinion were fictitious, incited violence and has created community divisions. Unfortunately, in the U.K. integrity is lost, where financial gain is involved.
Furthermore, there is a real bias as to what is deemed newsworthy. As a result of this, reporting of the news by the MSM is inequitable. This situation was highlighted, in my article reporting the Hindi protests in Parliament Square on Saturday, not a single mainstream media journalist present to report the genocide ongoing in Bangladesh. Something I would consider of international concern.
In recent years there has been a rapid growth in the number of independent journalists. I genuinely believe the vast majority doing so, being exasperated with the constant barrage of propaganda from the MSM. Although this does preclude those doing so to further their own ends. This has resulted in the British public seeing the MSN for what they are and loosing control of what is published. They are now looking to the government calling for censorship of independent journalists and social media.
The reason, I’m of the opinion this a last ditched attempt, at regaining some control of what’s reported and allowing them to continue to spread propaganda unencumbered. This also has a secondary effect, that of keeping the British population in ignorance, as in years past. Bare in mind the old saying ‘never let the truth get in the way of a good story.
Personally, the introduction of a any form of censorship would be disastrous. Additionally, even worse, would be putting ideas like this into the minds of Labour Party ministers. Based on the last 5 weeks, they do not need encouragement. What is really amusing is how stupid the mainstream media are being. Remember, I mentioned the rule of law and how it applies equally to all, yeah! if the government introduces a censorship act it will apply equally to everyone, strangely enough MSM that mean you.
-Gianni