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Channel 4 censorship

(37 Posts)
thatbags Wed 29-Jan-14 12:51:41

The thing is though, eloethan, that what I may find acceptable, person B may find offensive and person C may find insulting. You can mix those combinations up anyhow you like. C could say something i find insulting but which s/he thinks is perfectly acceptable and not in the teensiest bit rude. And so on.

If I find something insulting, I say do. I don't send death threats! This is what this problem is all about: Islamists (i.e. extremist jihadist muslims) are just looking for things to get violent about.

Sorry, but that simply won't do in a democratic society. Of course they and I and you will see and hear things we don't like. We can argue our case or we can lump it but we can't say "you can't say that" unless it is a call to violence.
The Channel4 censorship is ridiculous. Worse, it is giving in to bullying and thuggery.

Eloethan Wed 29-Jan-14 12:28:29

I'm not sure I agree with "insulting" any religion. The word implies deliberately trying to be unpleasant and provocative about someone's beliefs.

I think the word "offending" is more acceptable as it has a slightly different connotation. People take offence about all sorts of things and it seems to me that it's quite difficult to go through life without, whether deliberately or unintentionally, offending somebody or other through what we say or how we behave.

I do think people ought to be able to express an opinion about any religion or any other subject, although I don't agree with those who set out to be be deliberately inflammatory. Then I suppose the comment could be made "what is inflammatory to one person isn't necessarily inflammatory to another".

It's a difficult one. But it does seem wrong that Channel 4 can make such a decision. If they are self-censoring because they are worried about actual physical repercussions, that's a matter of concern for everybody. Everybody should be able to express an opinion without being fearful of repercussions.

thatbags Wed 29-Jan-14 11:40:02

The right to insult all religions is important, and should be cherished, Sunny Hundal

thatbags Wed 29-Jan-14 11:37:03

kenanmalik.wordpress.com/2014/01/29/on-the-importance-of-the-right-to-offend/

MiceElf Wed 29-Jan-14 11:01:30

If you Google historal images of Mohammed you may be able to access through a link there.

merlotgran Wed 29-Jan-14 10:54:52

How on earth does the writer and lead actor in Citizen Khan get away with his mickey taking of the muslim religion - let alone the BBC for airing it? confused

ffinnochio Wed 29-Jan-14 10:29:06

Interesting, MiceElf - Link 'unavailable'. I have yet to see the uncensored cartoon. Crazy.

MiceElf Wed 29-Jan-14 09:19:01

zombietime.com/mohammed_image_archive/islamic_mo.full/

sunseeker Wed 29-Jan-14 09:13:02

I bow to your greater knowledge MiceElf. Like you I find some depictions of Christ offensive but wouldn't make threats.

MiceElf Wed 29-Jan-14 09:08:58

Not all Muslims though. And the depiction of Mohammed is to be seen in many places in the Muslim world.

But, that's not the point. As a Christian, I find many depictions and texts offensive, but I would not demand censorship or make death threats.

sunseeker Wed 29-Jan-14 09:03:00

I think that Muslims find any depiction of Mohammed to be offensive - at least that was what I was told several years ago

MiceElf Wed 29-Jan-14 08:20:20

I watched, as usual, Channel 4 News last evening. There was report about the LibDem prospective MEP or MP (not sure which) who posted a gentle cartoon showing Jesus saying to Mohammed 'How ya doing'. He has been threatened with death and many have signed a petition for him to be deselected.

Channel 4 showed the cartoon with the image of Mohammed covered with a black oval 'to avoid giving offence'.

I find it extraordinary that they are willing to show many unpalatable images and sequences of images but self censor because of the purported 'offence' to fundamentalist (certainly not all) Muslims.

I'm not sure where I stand on the issue of giving offence, but whatever one's position, surely it should be a matter of public / legal policy following debate and not be motivated by fear of unpleasant, increasingly powerful radical Islamicists.