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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think banning the sale of the daily mail goes against all free speech stands for

132 replies

BumpowderSneezeonAndSnot · 09/01/2018 19:50

Now I'm not a fan of it but everyone is allowed to speak their views. Aibu to think banning the sale of any one news outlet goes against the principles of free speech?

OP posts:
greenmagpie · 09/01/2018 20:02

mothertruck3r you might be surprised to learn that quite a lot of people are concerned with shutting down the voices of other religions. There's even been the odd fisticuffs, historically.

MarmaladeIsMyJam · 09/01/2018 20:03

But they aren’t banning it OP? Confused
Did you even read the link yourself?

TulipsInAJug · 09/01/2018 20:04

It's not sold (along with Daily Express) in some university campuses. I think it is clamping down on free speech. Why can't students (and others) read and make up their own minds? Isn't education supposed to foster critical thinking and independent thought?

It goes hand in hand with 'no platforming' and 'safe spaces'. Shutting down those who disagree with you. It doesn't bode well for the future of democracy. Yet many academics seem either apathetic or strangely complicit.

StinkPickle · 09/01/2018 20:05

Wow that really is a worrying attack on free speech. And I say that as someone who thinks the daily mail is absolutely shite.

I don’t even recognise this country sometimes. I thought free speech was safe.

Graphista · 09/01/2018 20:05

No free speech is a right but with rights come responsibilities and the dailyfuckingmail is frequently irresponsible.

The oft quoted example in USA where freedom of speech is constitutionally protected (not the case in the uk btw - no laws protecting free speech here) is that of falsely shouting "fire" in a crowded theatre - technically the shouter has the right to shout "fire" BUT the consequences must be considered and actions (including speech) that cause danger directly or indirectly to others is unacceptable.

The DM frequently print medical hogwash that either freaks people out or makes them question professional medics and that's before you get to all the bigoted right wing crap!!

I'd be fully supportive of the demise of newspapers anyway. All run by rich, white, right wing men spouting only their views with no balance.

Tv isn't MUCH better though it is slightly better regulated.

Idontdowindows · 09/01/2018 20:06

Just like I'm allowed to say the Daily Fail cannot be sold from my house, Virgin Trains is allowed to say it cannot be sold on their property. They're not the government, so it's not a free speech issue.

Just because people are allowed to say what they like, doesn't mean people have to listen to them.

TulipsInAJug · 09/01/2018 20:08

Freedom of speech is about the government or others in power stopping people from voicing an opinion.

And 'others in power' should include 'those with influence' such as schools and universities.

Topseyt · 09/01/2018 20:08

Virgin trains haven't banned it. They have just ceased stocking it and selling it themselves on their own trains. You can still buy it at the station before boarding and take it on with you.

I must admit I had to laugh when I read this earlier. Anything that reduces the circulation of the Fail even slightly can surely only be good??

Mind you, you could also argue that there is no such thing as bad publicity, and the Fail will milk that for all it is worth.

mothertruck3r · 09/01/2018 20:08

greenmagpie, well I doubt that many people have been killed by the Daily Mail. Religion on the other hand has been responsible for many deaths.

JeReviens · 09/01/2018 20:09

Presumably if you buy the filthy butt-wipe at Smiths and then board a Virgin train with it you won't actually be shot at dawn? So they're not 'banning' it - they're just not selling it and all power to them for that.
It's not the 'erosion of free speech' but more like the erosion of hate speech. What's not to love?

Original poster
BumpowderSneezeonAndSnot · 09/01/2018 20:09

Yes I did read the link. And like others I see this akin to the no platforming happening in universities. The world is heading towards a widespread attitude of "i don't agree with you so sit down and shut up"

OP posts:
greenmagpie · 09/01/2018 20:09

Do you honestly believe every university campus should sell, what, any print media ever published? Or do you accept that retail space is not infinite?

MorrisZapp · 09/01/2018 20:10

I wish the word 'banned' would be banned. So few people seem to know what it means.

MarmaladeIsMyJam · 09/01/2018 20:11

Wow that really is a worrying attack on free speech. And I say that as someone who thinks the daily mail is absolutely shite.

They aren’t banning it though!

They are a private company that have stopped stocking a product that isn’t selling very well on their trains. Just like they would do with drinks/snacks etc.

kaytee87 · 09/01/2018 20:11

It's not banned though is it?

LyraPotter · 09/01/2018 20:12

This doesn't really have anything to do with free speech. The DM isn't being banned. A private company is making the decision not to sell it. Those are very different things. Free speech doesn't require all private companies and individials to give a platform to particular publications.

Free speech is such a misunderstood concept. If I refuse to let Nigel Farage give me a lecture at my front door because I disagree with him, am I limiting his free speech? No!

Free speech is only infringed when a government prevents things from being said. When the government bans the DM, come and moan about free speech then.

MarmaladeIsMyJam · 09/01/2018 20:13

But OP it’s not like they stock every newspaper! They only have a choice of 3/4 anyway.

Duchy0fGrandFenwick · 09/01/2018 20:14

It’s not shutting down free speech, it’s business.

Graphista · 09/01/2018 20:14

@kenadams - personally I think it is utterly shocking and outrageous that kelvin Mackenzie wasn't prosecuted and the sun shut down upon the result of the hillsborough enquiry.

greenmagpie · 09/01/2018 20:16

OP, you didn't answer me as to why you don't personally sell copies of the DM? Are you against free speech?

southboundagain · 09/01/2018 20:16

"Why can't students (and others) read and make up their own minds?"

You think students are interested in buying the DM and the Express? Students barely read newspapers and the Express in particular is aimed at a much older audience. Its front page articles are often things like osteoarthritis and statins which students couldn't care less about. Their readership statistics are pretty obvious as to whom their target audience actually is.

TalkinPeace · 09/01/2018 20:17

If they stocked EVERY other newspaper - including the local ones for every town the train went through
except the Mail
then it would be a bit odd
but
They have chosen to sell a few of a few papers
and allowed people who want to read other stuff to bring their own

which is a totally different thing
and a non story

Royalcoronation · 09/01/2018 20:19

The world is heading towards a widespread attitude of "i don't agree with you so sit down and shut up"

Not in the example you have given.

What you have shown is re the daily mail is basic supply and demand. Nothing more.

southboundagain · 09/01/2018 20:20

(Students of course being much more likely to get their news online than through any kind of paper - I'm not implying that students don't pay attention to the news.)

skippy67 · 09/01/2018 20:21

It's not being banned though. So your question is a non question.

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