Gagging order

Posted by @ 10:28 am on Friday 15th June, 2012.

What a shame that Argyll and Bute Council have effectively killed a fine, informative and charitable blog:

 

NeverSeconds

 

I love the meal-rating criteria...

Food-o-meter:
Mouthfuls:
Courses:
Health Rating:
Price:
Pieces of hair:

 🙂

Makes you wonder what the Council feel they have to hide...

Alopecia?

Or perhaps it's this appalling meal!

Anyways, there's a petition to get this stupid ban lifted. I'd urge you to sign it and to spread the word. **UPDATE** - see Alan's comment.

Want a link to the Daily Record article that caused the Council to kick off? See here.

Here's something from Wikipedia:

Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in 1948, states that:

"Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."

Today freedom of speech, or the freedom of expression, is recognized in international and regional human rights law. The right is enshrined in Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, Article 13 of the American Convention on Human Rights and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights. Based on John Milton's arguments, freedom of speech is understood as a multi-faceted right that includes not only the right to express, or disseminate, information and ideas, but three further distinct aspects:

  • the right to seek information and ideas;
  • the right to receive information and ideas;
  • the right to impart information and ideas.

International, regional and national standards also recognize that freedom of speech, as the freedom of expression, includes any medium, be it orally, in written, in print, through the Internet or through art forms. This means that the protection of freedom of speech as a right includes not only the content, but also the means of expression.

8 Responses to “Gagging order”

  1. Geoff says:

    I think the world is going crazy, I've signed the petition lets hope the council get loads of media grief!

  2. alan.sloman says:

    The decision has been reversed. Lunchtime today on R4, live.

  3. BG! says:

    That's great news, Alan.

  4. GeoffC says:

    They could only forbid the taking of photos, they couldn't kill the blog - that would be a personal decision by the author.
    The backdown does show the power of instant communication though, which can be good or bad...

  5. John J says:

    Just heard the good news - I think any more negative publicity would have raised this young lady beyond the heroine that she already is.

    JJ

  6. Sheila says:

    Yes, our local radio station reported the council ruling has been reversed and Martha can continue posting up her school meal pictures onto her dinner blog.

  7. BG! says:

    Originally Posted By GeoffC
    They could only forbid the taking of photos, they couldn't kill the blog - that would be a personal decision by the author.

    Indeed, but it's a blog that works by virtue of its photographic content. Just text wouldn't cut the virtual mustard.

    Anyway, it's all sorted.

    Now, what shall I give my kids for tea? I think I have a few grains of sweetcorn, two hash-browns and no green veg... that might be enough for them according to some authorities :mrgreen:

  8. Andy Jones says:

    I was about to post about what a total scandal this was until I read that the council have backed down. What a wonderful, humerous, well written, insightful blog that is, and all done to raise money. The council should hang it's head in shame for how it was handled. Still all sorted now 🙂

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