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Original poster

Justine stands up for FWR in The Times

258 replies

SwearyG · 15/04/2018 00:21

Justine is quoted in The Times today saying that TRAs are pressuring advertisers to withdraw from the site but they’re willing to take the hit to keep the discussion open. It’s very heartening after the threads of the last few days re FWR being hidden and the worries about this space being censored.

Flowers to @JustineMumsnet - thank you.

OP posts:
untoldstories · 15/04/2018 08:39

Thankyou Justine, this is such a welcome read this morning.
I've been reading reviews of a place in Bristol which is hosting a talk soon, the comments from the TAs have been nothing short of disgusting, I can honestly say I have never read any hate coming from the women who are asking to be heard on this issue, snippy sometimes for sure but not the vulgar and hateful things the TAs say.

Cascade220 · 15/04/2018 08:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

meddie · 15/04/2018 08:38

Excellent. I am more than happy to support advertisers who continue to support the right of women to discuss issues that affect them.
I know how much flak you will be getting for this, but just know there are thousands of women grateful for the space you allow us and we have your back

OvaHere · 15/04/2018 08:36

Thank you Justine and MNHQ. It's good to have the clarification of where the pressure is coming from and brave of you to speak up in the press Flowers

WorkingItOutAsIGo · 15/04/2018 08:35

Thanks Justine. And yes, I too promise as a result to ensure I consciously support companies who advertise on Mumsnet to thank both Mumsnet and them for allowing free speech. I direct almost all of our family’s spending after all.

The concept of a consumer boycott is troubling to me, as it seems to be using the same tactics as TRAs. But in the other hand I grew up in the age when we all boycotted Barclays for its role in South Africa which was seen to be supporting apartheid, so I do see its value. I still have a frisson of guiltiness when I see my Barclays Bank statement come in. I would be happy to boycott any brand doing active harm...so yes, am going off to see who is unwisely supporting Mermaids who I view as such a dangerous organisation and will let them know why I am removing my business from them.

SpartacusTheCat · 15/04/2018 08:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Winewinewinegin · 15/04/2018 08:32

Thank you Justine. Women's rights matter. Free speech matters to everyone.

FlowersFlowersFlowers

I will be buying from mumsnet advertisers and boycotting anyone who pulls out. If a company doesn't value women's rights and free speech I am not prepared to give them my business.

GoodyMog · 15/04/2018 08:31

Thank you Justine

Newsofas · 15/04/2018 08:28

Thank you Mumsnet for protecting free speech.

DidoAndHerLament · 15/04/2018 08:25

Thank you Justine FlowersFlowers

LangCleg · 15/04/2018 08:25

TRAs have their whole lives invested in their identity. Their activism is their life. This is what makes them extremists. They are so emotionally involved in it and their community is very inward looking and narrowly focused. Many are particularly tech and social media savvy, to a level which is far above average.

Very true.

And thank you for defending us public, Justine.

AskBasil · 15/04/2018 08:24

Thank you Justine.

I wondered why feminism wasn't showing up in the active threads, I didn't realise it had been taken out.

Why is that?

Advertisers aren't stupid, they know a boycott by Mumsnet users will damage them a hell of a lot more than a boycott by a bunch of narcissistic violent yobbos and blue haired submissive girls who are desperate for approval. None of them have got any money and the blue-haired girls will grow out of their nonsense once they grow up and their heads hit the glass ceiling they don't realise still exists.

I didn't realise M&S were allowing men in women's changing rooms. Fuck, I'm going to have to boycott them, aren't I? And their food shop is in walking distance.

BertrandRussell · 15/04/2018 08:22

So is FWR unmuted?

dorade · 15/04/2018 08:20

Thank you Justine, Andrew Gillian, Janice Turner and The Times.

FeministBadger · 15/04/2018 08:14

Justine I bloody love you - think I'm going to go buy a physical copy of the Sunday Times this morning!

Ineverdidmind · 15/04/2018 08:14

This is absolutely brilliant, and very brave of Justine.
Times are a changing......

Bifflepants · 15/04/2018 08:09

Thanks Justine.

BahHumbygge · 15/04/2018 08:09

Thanks Justine & mnhq. Having a platform for free speech is such a vital cornerstone against totalitarian thought. Flowers

WillowWept · 15/04/2018 08:08

Amazing Justine

Thank you so much. Regardless of your view on the matter free speech matters!

ChattyLion · 15/04/2018 08:06

Agreeing with Red too.

ChattyLion · 15/04/2018 08:05

Thank you Justine Flowers

RedToothBrush · 15/04/2018 08:02

TRAs have their whole lives invested in their identity. Their activism is their life. This is what makes them extremists. They are so emotionally involved in it and their community is very inward looking and narrowly focused. Many are particularly tech and social media savvy, to a level which is far above average.

Few here have that luxury of time and none of us are invested in the same way.

I hope that advertisers are aware of this dynamic. The little echo chamber they are in, might have considerable influence and power which is disproportionate to its numbers, but its still an echo chamber.

SonicVersusGynaephobia · 15/04/2018 07:49

Thanks Justine!

Right, off to find the AIBU thread... I haven't ventured out of FWR for about 6 months.

Lemonjello · 15/04/2018 07:30

Thank you Justine Flowers

SeaRabbit · 15/04/2018 07:28

What everybody else said. Thanks to MN, and yes advertisers do have a sensible think.