Freedom of speech and freedom to post

I'm a great one for 'freedom of speech'. In other words, I'm very happy to say that in the generality of things, people should be allowed to think whatever they like, and express those views even if they're at variance with most other people. But you'll notice that I have pulled back from giving blanket permission for everyone to write and say whatever they like.

It's with some disquiet that I hear our new Home Secretary say that some civil liberties and freedoms may need to be limited in the short term in order for us to be safe and have that freedom in the long term. He may well be very well intentioned in suggesting that freedoms will be restored, but government does have an unfortunate history of applying short term and limited measures which become extended or permanent. I recall the first speed cameras on our roads were introduced on just a few fast urban roads with a promise that "we will NOT extend to motorways" and that Income Tax was introduced as a temporary measure only to fund the Napolionic Wars in the early 1800s.

With such a disquiet being in my nature, why am I not advocating total freedom of speech? Well - I've just spent a couple of hours removing explicit sexual images from all the boards on our forums, and filtering out the same images from personal messages left for our members. I don't consider such material to be appropiate to a forum concerning Open Source programming, nor to one concerning the train services in Wiltshire; if people want such material, they can sign up for it elsewhere.

And, quite exceptionally, I have banned the member concerned. The posts and messages are very very clearly in breach of the user agreement, and the multiple posting contravenes another part of the agreement. In such quantity, "oops - posted to the wrong forum" isn't a valid excuse. Any yet ... I've still asked him to email me if he feels that there was good reason for his actions so that I can fairly listen. I don't actually expect to hear from him, mind you!
(written 2006-08-10 05:51:45)

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