Off topic but relevant. Former Guardian Editor in MOS on proposed controls to unacceptable internet content

[Needmoresleep]

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6919537/ALAN-RUSBRIDGER-woman-banned-Facebook-posting-two-photos.html

As most of us, who feel our own ability to speak out freely has been compromised, have worked out, what matters is who decides what is unacceptable.

The Government, California based internet companies, major trading powers like China.

Perhaps an indication of how people and papers change is Rusbridger writing in the Mail

Mail on Sunday readers will not need reminding that Jeremy Corbyn could be the next occupant of No10 Downing Street. And so might Boris Johnson, whose own relationship with the truth has sometimes been shaky. Right or Left, politicians shouldn't be the judges of what a free society allows people to say, write or think.

There's a consultation at the moment
www.gov.uk/government/consultations/online-harms-white-paper
This is serious it will include web sites such as mumsnet and 'hate speech. I can't help feeling it would end up badly for feminists and gender critical people. Politicians are showing no spine in defending freedom of speech despite their talk about universities.

I imagine mumsnet will have no choice but to remove the feminism boards. It will be too labour intensive to police, the definitions in the paper are nebulous and TRAs have already shown an absolute willingness to cut off any form of debate - they will be tying sites up in endless complaints and potentially legal actions. How anyone can pretend we have free speech in this country is beyond me.

And that is why TRAs have been filing hate incidents about everything thus demonstrating a desperate need for this type of legislation. Funny how the subsequent 'rise' in hate incidents requires immediate legislation but a 4000% rise in ROGD elicits no response at all (other than ignoring TRAs shutting down any attempt at research or discussion).

I don't think it is off topic!

This is a good thread on it:
twitter.com/anyabike/status/1117330502988509184

Lets hope the effective harrassment of individuals via the use of 'hate' complaints and private prosecutions serve as a useful reminder of the dangers of curbing free speech.

I wonder if MN could consider putting together their own editorial explaining the imact such proposals might have on them and how we can support.

The risks are not that easy to get across to the woman in the street. People want to trust their Government to have their interests at heart. However those of us who have been following GRA proposals know that this is not always the case and that well connected lobby groups wield a lot of power. Its good that the Mail have taken up the baton, but useful if others affected could spread the word and widen the reach.

This is really interesting, thanks for posting, and not off topic at all