Mediaboss Marketing

Censorship is still a prevalent issue in modern society. UK civil servants, for example, are not permitted to have any contacts with the media unless authorised in advance by the relevant Minister. Even the general principle of free speech has exceptions. For example, it is a criminal offence to use threatening or abusive language intending to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

Obviously, Linekers comments were not criminal in any way, however, as someone contracted by the BBC ( a public sector organisation) , should he refrain from direct comments on political matters? He is, after all, paid through a form of tax ( the BBC license fee). Regardless of your opinion, the suspension of Lineker by the BBC and the reaction that it provoked strongly indicates that issues surrounding free speech and censorship are highly controversial and ultimatley unresolved. However, the BBCs backing down after the boycott of sports programming across the network is suggestive of the fact that popular opinion is more in favour of openness rather than censorship, especially within the media.

We all hope for a sense of neutrality from the presenters and the BBC management, and perhaps the key to this is the separation of personal views and their professional roles. Agree with him or not, Lineker has at least kicked off an important discussion of freedom of speech.

See the rest here:
CROSSING THE LINE?: CENSORSHIP IN THE UK, Conor O'Shea ... - This is Local London