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@ Wednesday, 30. Apr, 2008 – 07:30:04
Here's a question for those of you living in the UK; do we live in a country where freedom of speech is allowed, or not?
I'd like you to answer to the above question...
Then, if it's not asking too much, I'd be interested to hear your views on this particular story on the BBC News website... and finally... has your answer to my original question changed?
Munzly
Usksider
Pro It all becomes very subjective doesn't it, when you start factoring in comedic/entertainment value, satire, intent, truth, etc.
lee954
I'man absolutist when it comes to freedom of speech. No matter how offensive or threatening words are...they are only words on a page or screen, or spoken.
Munzly
There is always freedom to anything so long as you are prepared to accept the consequences.
Does your F-of-S allow gratuitous and undeserved abuse?
Yes it does. The person printing/publishing/broadcasting the words might well have to suffer the consequences of their actions; but they should be allow to say whatever they want. Of course, this does not mean that by protesting they are allowed to block roads, vandalise property, intimadate people etc.
MissyMouse
Hmmmm....very interesting Usky!
I am still making my mind up on how to comment to this.
Usksider
Pro That's okay... I've been thinking about it all day! 
In the current climate though, it is understandable that people react very defensively when their children are perceived to be under threat. I can understand their reaction, though I am also pro- freedom of speech.
Usksider
Pro I agree. I wonder though how quickly the 'law' would have acted had one parent not been in the police force.
Hmmmmmm...im not too sure on that one! I believe people are entitled to thier own opinion...sometimes it should be kept to themselves mind. Hope you are ok -x-
Usksider
Pro Like children... some people should be seen and not heard, eh? 
now I'm worried. I'm sure I've written stuff which could've been misconstrued or deemed 'threatening'.
Its an emotive one, wouldn't like to think where my answer lies..
x
Usksider
Pro Yes we'll all have to watch our P's and Q's won't we?
mycorneroftheworld
Do you have any question for us living in Sweden then? 
Usksider
Pro Feel free to answer the above... I should add though, I am not sure of the authorities' stance in Sweden.
workandbooks
My first thoughts before reading the article and in answer to your question: "do we live in a country where freedom of speech is allowed, or not?" My answer was: It all depends on who you're talking about and what you're saying. There are some subjects in this country for which open discussion is totally banned no matter with whom or where you want to discuss it.
After reading the article, I would say that we have enough of the gutter press naming and shaming without bloggers getting in on the act, although some might consider me a hypocrite after my rant about Prince William. I think when blogging we have a moral duty to leave out ordinary peoples identities no matter what the circumstance. However as soon as I read this man's "Menacing" comment about the baby it was obvious what he meant. He felt, for some reason aggrieved about the way he had been treated by this officer and was merely saying God help the child with a Dad like that. Sometimes you can post stuff, sleep on it then get up next day and end up deleting it, may be he just didn't have time to delete. Must admit though he does look a bit menacing doesn't he?
Usksider
Pro The comment certainly could have been innocent enough, but could equally have been barbed with menace... it's difficult to know what was in the writer's mind at the time isn't it?
tylluanpenry
Pro I don't think we have much freedom of anything any more. That said, it's one thing to criticise the police about a specific incident or to rant, but personally I'd have left the personal bit about the child out of it.
Funny how you can be prosecuted for saying some things and not others, though.....
Usksider
Pro The law does appear to be somewhat selective doesn't it?
Yes and no! I think we do have a large amount of freedom of speech in this country. I also think it has been curtailed in many areas, but mainly in a bid to try to contain disrespect, hatred and worse for individuals and communities.
It also depends on how you categorise freedom of speech. Applying it to generic political, economic etc type issues is one thing. but permitting anyone to threaten, abuse or ridicule individuals doesn't quite a freedom worth defending, in my opinion. It should be possible to express discontent or a difference of opinion without resorting to personal abuse. Letting off steam, ranting etc. are fine but not if you target named individuals. I'm not surprized that the policeman and his wife took exception. I would have.
Usksider
Pro Pretty well summed up. Nice answer in fact.
The content of this website belongs to a private person, blog.co.uk is not responsible for the content of this website.
I think that what is said on a blog should have the same effect as the same words spoken loudly in a public place before a number of witnesses.
If the passage of words spoken in public were considered as sufficiently offensive to merit the attention of the law then the same passage of words on a blog should be viewed under the law in the same light.
However, the same passage of words published on websites other than blogs or similar forums should be regarded in the light of published written material such as books, magazines or newspapers and come under laws relating to those sorts of publication.
More exactly, offensive blogs should be judged as slander and the same thing in other types of online publishing as libel.
Obviously there are factors such as comedic/entertainment value, satire, intent, truth, size of readership/audience and the reputation of the subject to take into account.