Should sage members be stopped from talking to media.

[Againstmachine]

Every week there seems to be a talking head in media from sage who seems to make doom monger predictions this week it's Prof Semple who says we will possibly need winter lockdowns.

I don't think these people are helpful and think sage members ought not to be talking to the press.

One also wonders how much they are getting paid per appearance.

I’m pretty uncomfortable about scientists only being allowed to talk if politicians give them permission. I prefer greater independence of scientists, including those working in relation to public policy, even if I don’t like or disagree with the conclusions they draw. Sunlight is a good disinfectant.*

But the problem is only certain groups are given airtime.

You clearly don't like what they say. You want to silence them for political reasons, which means you are not a democrat.

They are free to speak. This is a democratic country with freedom of speech.

I don't agree with some of Michie's conclusions but the limited interactions I've had with her make me think she's principled, sincere & thoughtful.

Nope agenda driven, full of crap.

But the problem is only certain groups are given airtime. Nope, it is just there are only a few scientists on the other side, because the science is what it is.

*You clearly don't like what they say. You want to silence them for political reasons, which means you are not a democrat.

They are free to speak. This is a democratic country with freedom of speech.
*

I agree with freedom of speech but it seems only one side gets a voice.

At the moment In media freedom of speech is in toilet.

@Againstmachine

You have clearly never worked in a normal job if you are asking that.

I note you didn't answer my question.

SAGE members can't actually be sacked, as SAGE is not an employer. Various university lecturers, govt officials, NHS staff etc make up the majority of it. They are participants, not employees.

@Againstmachine

I don't agree with some of Michie's conclusions but the limited interactions I've had with her make me think she's principled, sincere & thoughtful.

Nope agenda driven, full of crap.

And what are your qualifications to be able to assert that?

Nope, it is just there are only a few scientists on the other side, because the science is what it is.
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Nope they ignore them same as the protests in London most weekends

@Againstmachine

*You clearly don't like what they say. You want to silence them for political reasons, which means you are not a democrat.

They are free to speak. This is a democratic country with freedom of speech.
*

I agree with freedom of speech but it seems only one side gets a voice.

At the moment In media freedom of speech is in toilet.

The other side is mostly talking bollocks, that's why no one is listening!

The London protesters are wrong, but we hear their wrong views all the fucking time!

Indy sage should not be talking to the media. Their viewpoint is as valid as mine.

They are a bunch of activists masquerading as scientists.

@Mathshelpme

Indy sage should not be talking to the media. Their viewpoint is as valid as mine.

They are a bunch of activists masquerading as scientists.

I think the qualifications and decades of experience they have in various institutions does away with the need for masquerading.

They definitely are not paid.
And no, they shouldn’t be prevented from speaking to the media. If you don’t want to listen to them then switch it off, but many, many people are interested in what they have to say.
And some of them challenge Government policy, which surely is a good thing in a democracy

@Mathshelpme

Indy sage should not be talking to the media. Their viewpoint is as valid as mine.

They are a bunch of activists masquerading as scientists.

They are scientists

I'm sorry, you want to censor scientists?! During a plague???

First thing I said when I read that "prediction" was, if our hospitals can't handle the levels of winter illness, we need more hospitals, not lockdowns.

But the problem is only certain groups are given airtime.

Really? I’ve seen lots of contrasting scientific views in news media over the last year.

SAGE members will be of particular interest as government advisers, clearly, as it points to the information government is getting.

The London protesters are wrong, but we hear their wrong views all the fucking time!

In mainstream media you aren't at all its rarely reported,compared to other protests.

Nope they ignore them same as the protests in London most weekends

Two problems with that:

First, almost every time someone claims their anti-lockdown protest in London has been ignored it comes 10 minutes after I’ve seen a BBC, Sky or other rolling news piece on it either in broadcast or online.

Second, it demonstrates that the person commenting has precisely zero knowledge of how much media coverage most protests get, especially if they’re protesting the same thing repeatedly. That is to say: none at all.

They definitely are not paid.

Is it expenses we know how that goes.

@Againstmachine - that old chestnut. The current Tory spin. The right wing media has dominated U.K. politics for far too long. I can vote for whoever I want, but Murdoch decides who will be in government. That's our democracy.

Second, it demonstrates that the person commenting has precisely zero knowledge of how much media coverage most protests get

Except certain protess do get attention BLM had many last year .

@RubyViolet

I want experts and scientists to have a voice in our society. I do not want to live under an authoritarian government.

A thousand times this

@Againstmachine

Every week there seems to be a talking head in media from sage who seems to make doom monger predictions this week it's Prof Semple who says we will possibly need winter lockdowns.

I don't think these people are helpful and think sage members ought not to be talking to the press.

One also wonders how much they are getting paid per appearance.

What a ridiculous post! I have actually seen a more ridiculous post ever. Freedom of speech!!!! If course they should not be banned. Are you nuts???

@Againstmachine

Second, it demonstrates that the person commenting has precisely zero knowledge of how much media coverage most protests get

Except certain protess do get attention BLM had many last year .

What have BLM got to do with the science of Covid ??? I am really confused now !