Robin-H Posted June 12, 2019 Share Posted June 12, 2019 Jo Brand has had some backlash for saying on a Radio 4 Panel show that she fantasises about throwing battery acid (instead of milkshakes) on 'unpleasant' politicians. Farage says that in the current political climate this is inciting violence, and so is hate speech. Others, such as Victoria Coren Mitchell (who hosted the panel show) says it was clearly a joke, and she has a right to free speech. So, hate speech or free speech? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penistone999 Posted June 12, 2019 Share Posted June 12, 2019 Free speech Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister M Posted June 12, 2019 Share Posted June 12, 2019 (edited) It's a difficult one. I wished Brand hadn't said what she said. I think in the current climate of attacks on politicians it was unwise. However in this current climate when there is a rise in hate crimes against gays and ethnic minorities, I think all in public life should moderate what they say. I note that Farage, only a few days ago defended Widdicombe's put down of gay people, and Farage (unwisely IMO) stood in front of a poster full of Syrians fleeing violence in the Brexit campaign as if the Syrians were heading for Britain. I suppose Brand has always had edgy comedy that's her USP....And Farage does complain about snowflakes.... Edited June 12, 2019 by Mister M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizzieBirdswrth Posted June 12, 2019 Share Posted June 12, 2019 12 minutes ago, Robin-H said: Jo Brand has had some backlash for saying on a Radio 4 Panel show that she fantasises about throwing battery acid (instead of milkshakes) on 'unpleasant' politicians. Farage says that in the current political climate this is inciting violence, and so is hate speech. Others, such as Victoria Coren Mitchell (who hosted the panel show) says it was clearly a joke, and she has a right to free speech. So, hate speech or free speech? Im no fan of Brand but id say free speech. Now if it had said "Go out and fulfil my fantasy of throwing battery acid at people" then that is hate speech in my view. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin-H Posted June 12, 2019 Author Share Posted June 12, 2019 9 minutes ago, Mister M said: It's a difficult one. I wished Brand hadn't said what she said. I think in the current climate of attacks on politicians it was unwise. However in this current climate when there is a rise in hate crimes against gays and ethnic minorities, I think all in public life should moderate what they say. I note that Farage, only a few days ago defended Widdicombe's put down of gay people, and Farage (unwisely IMO) stood in front of a poster full of Syrians fleeing violence in the Brexit campaign as if the Syrians were heading for Britain. I suppose Brand has always had edgy comedy that's her USP....And Farage does complain about snowflakes.... Danny Baker was fired pretty quickly after making a poorly judged joke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister M Posted June 12, 2019 Share Posted June 12, 2019 2 minutes ago, Robin-H said: Danny Baker was fired pretty quickly after making a poorly judged joke. Perhaps the BBC felt that the 'jokes' were of a different nature. One made a slur against a race of people, one was an unpleasant jibe against an unpleasant person. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin-H Posted June 12, 2019 Author Share Posted June 12, 2019 Just now, Mister M said: Perhaps the BBC felt that the 'jokes' were of a different nature. One made a slur against a race of people, one was an unpleasant jibe against an unpleasant person. The context made it clear it was with regards to politicians, but she didn't single a specific person out (I'm not sure if it would have been worse if she had or not). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prince al Posted June 12, 2019 Share Posted June 12, 2019 I doubt if it will influence a nutter, not many listen to radio 4 after the Archers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinfoilhat Posted June 12, 2019 Share Posted June 12, 2019 If it’s the news quiz - which I haven’t listened to for a while - it could be quite close to the knuckle, I recall one panelist calling Theresa May a skanky ho and it didn’t make headlines. It’s free speech and given the audience, it’s a radio 4 panel show after all, are unlikely to start chucking acid at people, so really nowt to worry about. That said if a right of centre comic - which are a rare spot on the news quiz - made a gag about chucking acid on st jez, I suspect the outrage might be different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister M Posted June 12, 2019 Share Posted June 12, 2019 2 minutes ago, tinfoilhat said: If it’s the news quiz - which I haven’t listened to for a while - it could be quite close to the knuckle, I recall one panelist calling Theresa May a skanky ho and it didn’t make headlines. It’s free speech and given the audience, it’s a radio 4 panel show after all, are unlikely to start chucking acid at people, so really nowt to worry about. That said if a right of centre comic - which are a rare spot on the news quiz - made a gag about chucking acid on st jez, I suspect the outrage might be different. To be fair there aren't too many right of centre comics in Britain! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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