Is the sexual orientation of a judge relevent?

Maizie d

"Where are you getting the 'suppression of free speech' from, POGS?"

Censorship is the suppression of free speech, public communication or other information which may be considered objectionable, harmful, sensitive, politically incorrect or inconvenient as determined by governments, media outlets, authorities or other groups or institutions.

The Official Secrets Act applies to everyone in the UK, whether they have signed it or not. People in sensitive jobs are asked to sign it as a way of reinforcing their awareness of the act.

Nobody is suppressing the Mail. It can go on printing whatever it likes, as long as it is legal.

If people don't like what it is saying they are under no obligation to buy it and if advertisers think that they will lose customers, rather than gain them, by advertising in it they are free to stop advertising. It's a commercial decision, not censorship.

twitter.com/StopFundingHate

Just so you know what it's about and who is supporting it.

It actually says Don't hate the media, change the media.
That's what good campaigning does, changes things.

Change the media? That sounds very like a slogan from an old Communist country.

One or two posters on here still don't understand what a free press is.

LOL oh dear POGS et at, people are just exercising their democratic right to protest. I presume the forces of anti-democracy on Mumsnet have a finger in this sinister pie.
And I'm sure that huge successful companies like Lego are well able make their own decisions about what is and is not good for the image of their brands and their ultimate commercial success. As are the expat billionaires who own certain newspapers able to decide on the extent to which they will shell out to influence UK voters.

I would imagine LEGO will be delighted that somebody is objecting to them taking a stand against bigotry. It reinforces the image they are creating. This image goes hand in hand with the popular Danish concept of 'hygge'.

LEGO is a hugely successful global brand with customers all over the world. I don't think one national newspaper with jingoistic views is much of a match.

It is odd how "freedom of speech /media" is interpreted depending on what people feel is being said/not allowed to be said!

If a newspaper takes a particular political viewpoint and promotes its views through its reports /headlines etc. and that viewpoint is not shared by some of the companies that advertise, or the companies are lobbied by customers who do not share a media outlets political stance they are perfectly withing their legal and moral right to review their business postion. it is not as if these big cpmpanies are being bullied they are making an informed decision.
I think we will see more of this open reaction to the more right of centre media from businesss, influential individuals etc.

Its a bit like pastor Niemoller's prayer isn't it. They are speaking out on behalf of those who maybe cannot before it is too late and they too are being seen as "part of the problem". Well done to them I say for following their conscience as well as their commercail interests.

It reinforces the image they are creating. This image goes hand in hand with the popular Danish concept of 'hygge'

Have you looked at any Lego lately daphne?
It is quite frighteningly aggressive - I commented to DH a few weeks ago before all this blew up about the nasty, hate filled little faces on some of the Lego, all about war and weapons, repelling invaders etc
(see other thread).
DGS and his friends love it.
Scary.

Pogs I too read the Daily Mail and the Express Just because you read a paper does not mean you subscribe to its editorial opinions/decisions.
I do not feel personally affronted by a political campaign to ask businesses to stop buying advertising space.

That is what a 'free country'is about after all the right to disagree and do what you can to win hearts and minds to your cause!
Of course with the right comes responsibility: to be truthful, to be honest and not to cause personal harm or injury to an individual or a group. Sometimes both print , online and visual media ( and politicians/political groups) forget the responsibility bit!

@POGS

Of course I've looked at LEGO recently. I sell the stuff!

What's aggressive about a London bus, a corner deli, a roller coaster and a reindeer?

This one German media outlet's take on the issue:
www.dw.com/en/stop-funding-hate-wins-lego-to-stop-daily-mail-promos/a-36371110

It's typical of other media. The international LEGO chatrooms think it's a good move too. It's been a positive move for the company's image.

I agree, Penstemmon, which is why I don't support unlimited free speech. We are very lucky that our press is relatively uncensored, but 'free speech' isn't an opportunity for every gobby person to spew hatred without being responsible for the consequences.

People who really care about democracy know that. It's not just about putting a cross in a box then trying to shut down opposite views.

PS. I meant '@Jalima'.

Do you sell pink Lego, daphne?
I do wish they hadn't done that.

Roses, nothing wrong with wanting to change the press. They write articles wanting to change our opinions.

Whatever happened to the News of the World?

Not very often, because I don't like it much either, although it's hugely successful. LEGO has been trying to target girls for years. I have some vintage 1990s pink sets, which are quite interesting. Compared with other pink girls' toys, there's loads of potential for action.

LEGO takes its customers' concerns very seriously. It stopped producing a female minifigure, because customers thought it was too sexualised. I can't imagine Mattel would stop selling Barbie for the same reason.

There are businesses whose social values support improved equality and who have strong social responsibility programmes. Not all businesses are evil!

Whilst I would prefer not to have toys colour coded if doing so does encourage some children to try out skills and activities that they may not have domne before that is better than never considering them, isn't it?

My Danish family have never wanted pink Lego, and never bought it. My Danish granddaughter likes pink, but thinks pink Lego is silly.

Lego should take its customers concerns seriously, and good for them.

Lego is mainly warlike now (apart from the girly stuff) I have ordered two sets for DGS and they are both weapons based ( just what DGS wants) but hardly hygge.

The older Lego is more job based.

You could have said no, roses. I don't buy anything with weapons.

@rosesared

No, they're not all weapons-based by any means. The City theme (for example) doesn't have any weapons nor do the Creator sets.

With toys, the goodies can always overcome evil. Traditional Nordic literature was all about heroes fighting off baddies, so it's very much about 'hygge'.

I don't think children can (or should) be shielded from evil, but they can be shown that evil can be defeated.

Much of the older LEGO was about pirates and castles. Before that, Homemaker had houses and the insides of buildings (kitchens, schools, etc). They were based on traditional dolls' houses.

Admittedly, station officer staff, etc. had male faces, but it's not difficult to give them a female face and hair. There's even a female bin collector, although I don't think I've ever seen a real one who isn't male.

I've been buying Lego for children and grandchildren for nearly fifty years. I've never bought anything remotely warlike, and they've never asked for it. It's how you bring them up.