Ofcom Discussion

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/ma...WEML6619I2

^Interesting guardian article concerning possible plans to turn Ofcom from a regulator to a censor. In the article it talks about taking pre-emptive action against programmes which have extremist content. If it was only that then fair enough, but we know how Ofcom thinks about the channels. So at some point down the line will they try taking more extensive measures against the channels.

Also lets make no bones about it but the Tories want out of the European Union as a lot of the freedoms that we still have would be lost forever if the red tape in Brussels never prevented it.

If the UK leaves Europe then expect the following measures to take place.

Satellite Jamming - Only Ofcom approved SKY UK, all other signals blocked.
Internet Censorship - On a par with non democratic countries.
Human Rights - Will be severely cut, just like the bad old Pre Europe era.

When it comes to the European Union Referendum forget about all the negative reasons as to staying in and focus on the everyday freedoms that not even the Tories can yet take away from us. Vote Yes to remain a member or you can kiss goodbye to all things that are not approved by the Government

SB can I just point out that The Tories do not have a policy on leaving the EU. Granted some Tories do want to leave but it is not official Tory Party policy. The policy is to have a referendum on membership once terms of membership have been renegotiated. It is highly likely that some MP's of other parties will also campaign in the referendum for leaving if a free vote is allowed by their parties.

I for one as a Tory will be voting to stay in the EU.

^I don't think that a referendum will ever come about, but on the off chance it does, the Uk media will unleash the scare tactics to persuade people to vote 'yes' for staying in the euro. There are too many powerful vested interests, who want to keep the Uk, on the will they, won't they stay in the euro roundabout and at heart Cameron is a Europhile.

^ The referendum WILL happen by the end of 2017. Cameron is in Riga today beginning the discussions about it.

^I stand by what I say. If the forum and Babechannels are still around by the end of 2017 lets argue about it then because at this rate this will end up being another twilight zone castoff, where old posts go to die.

Surely you know as well as anyone that politicians are under no legal obligation to carry out their pre-election promises.

(22-05-2015 14:26 )gunnar Wrote:  ^I don't think that a referendum will ever come about

The referendum has already been agreed, it was decided upon by the last government, before the election, so it is happening.

As for the article, I read it this morning. Interesting read. Interesting that the move to give these powers to Ofcom came from Theresa May, the Home Secretary, and the letter against it that got leaked came from the then Culture Secretary, who arguably has more authority over Ofcom, at least on matters concerning broadcasting.
It should also be pointed out that this all happened before the election, but the article I read, I think from the Telegraph, did state that it had already been said that more powers for Ofcom would be included in the Queen's Speech, which would therefore make it an integral part of the new governments policy.

Be afraid, be very afraid!

^I still say let's see because what can be agreed can be unagreed. It's a bit like the economic conditional tests under Labour for full EU membership, that was dangled like a carrot in front of the electorate every 4/5 yrs.

I'm reminded of The old adage, how do you know a politicians is lying? his lips are moving.

Cameron appearing to back May on this one:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics...ocked.html

A very troubling thin end of the wedge. Yet another road of curtailment to our rights the Tories seem so willing to blunder down. Yet again it's start out by attacking a subject that can't really be objected to per se. Then what's next? How easy will in be for the government to use Ofcom to ban another extreme form of political speech. Who exactly decides who qualifies for the next veto? (Do these laws ever stop at one target?)

As for his leaked memo... It always fascinates me the untold story behind leaks like this. Who leaked it? For what reason? Who benefits from having this out in the public arena? What agenda is being played here.

I actually think Ofcom itself might not want to get into the deep waters proposed by May.

At any rate, it's pretty obvious someone wants this policy watered-down before the Queen's speech (the natural result of having this debate out in the media) and sees putting this memo out there as the best way to do it. Normally I'd find this dodgy ground. Politics at it's very best as usual: Get what you want however you can; use the media for all they are worth; play the public.

However, if the result is a less censorial paragraph 111 then, on this occasion, I've got to say well-played to whoever did the deed here.

Interesting how in the article it says blocking extremist broadcasts, but who decides what is extremist.
Is something which criticizes the government extremist?